The Attributes of God – The Forgiving
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the divine attribute of forgiveness, emphasizing that it is one of the clearest expressions of God’s mercy and compassion. God forgives by nature—He always forgives, never occasionally—and is ready to forgive every sin, no matter how great, under one condition: true repentance. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness but of divine love seeking man’s salvation.
The spiritual and doctrinal dimension
-
God abounds in forgiveness: The Bible often describes God as “merciful and forgiving,” “abundant in mercy,” showing that forgiveness is an essential part of His divine nature.
-
Complete forgiveness: God’s forgiveness is total and absolute, erasing sins entirely as if they never existed. Through the blood of Christ, He washes the sinner whiter than snow.
-
Forgiveness through repentance: There is no forgiveness without repentance. Even those who crucified Christ were forgiven once they repented and believed.
-
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit: It means lifelong rejection of the Holy Spirit’s work in the heart—therefore, no forgiveness, because there is no repentance.
-
Examples of divine forgiveness: God forgave Adam, His people after the golden calf, David, Moses the Black, Peter after his denial, the repentant adulteress, and the thief on the cross. God rejects no one who repents sincerely.
-
Means of forgiveness: In the New Testament, forgiveness is received through confession, repentance, the Eucharist, and baptism which washes away sins.
The spiritual conditions for forgiveness
-
Genuine repentance and confession without excuses.
-
Forgiving others as God forgives us.
-
Correcting the harm caused by sin.
-
Avoiding judgment of others.
-
Loving God deeply, for “he who loves much is forgiven much.”
Brief conclusion
His Holiness concludes that God forgives, erases, and covers sins, remembering them no more, provided we repent. God does not wish for the sinner’s death but that he returns and lives. True repentance restores man’s purity and turns the sinner into a saint. God’s forgiveness is an endless fountain of mercy, given only to the humble and contrite heart.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
