Trespass can be defined as (1) enter someone’s land or property without permission. It can also be defined as (2) commit an offence against (a person or a set of rules). Sin can be defined as an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. Transgression can be defined as an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offence. Debt can be defined as a sum of money that is owed or due, or the state of owing money, or a feeling of gratitude for a service or favour.
How does God and man deal with forgiveness of sins, transgression, trespasses, and debts? According to Mark 2:7; “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Another reference text in Luke 5:21; The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” In addition to these texts, in Mark 2:10-11; But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So, he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Since only God can forgive sins, can people forgive others of sins?
Before Emmanuel, it is only God who forgives sins. Only Jesus Christ. However, when God was amongst us, He then spoke that man should forgive man, when they trespass against each other. The prayer that our Lord Jesus Christ taught us contain the line “Mathew 6:12; ‘And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors” The Scriptures also stated in Deuteronomy 15:3; You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your fellow Israelite owes you. With Emmanuel, we all became members of one family of all nations. The question of how many times people should forgive others, of sins was posed in Mathew 18:21; Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” And the answer was given in Mathew 18:35; “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Which is every time.
The leading note of Psalm 51 states “For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.” In addition, David was also guilty of second-degree murder. As a result of which Uriah, the late husband of Bathsheba, was no longer alive to forgive David and Bathsheba. Which led to David in Psalm 51 verse 4 to cry out to God “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so, you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. At the end of the day, when a person commits a crime, or an offense, or a transgression against another person, whenever the case gets to the courts, it is no longer a case of person A versus person B, but a case of the Law making and giving institution, State or Kingdom versus the accused. Ultimately, when we sin, it is against God. And Jesus Christ is a forgiving God, when we acknowledge our sins and are penitent, remorseful, and contrite. Forgive others, so you may be forgiven.
