Romans 8:1 · NKJV

Is "Forgive Yourself" Even in the Bible? — John Piper

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What does Romans 8:1 say?

John Piper, asked this exact question: "I don't think it is in the Bible… to have forgiveness, you need a person who has been wronged and a person who did the wrong."

The phrase isn't in Scripture. The pain it names absolutely is. So step down off the judge's seat — and hear the verdict already handed down: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1 NKJV)

Full episode: https://youtu.be/NWmBxVGKpRk

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Bible references

Scripture in this video is quoted from the NKJV.

Transcript (show)

But other pastors wrestling with the same question have said something sharper. John Piper asked this exact question by a listener said this. I don't think it is in the Bible. And the reason I don't think it is in the Bible is that I think it would be intrinsically confusing about the nature of forgiveness if it were. To have forgiveness, you need a person who has been wronged and a person who did the wrong.

Then why would Jack forgive Jack when Jack didn't insult Jack? And then he said what may be the single most useful sentence anyone has said on this question. Let's humble ourselves and step down off the judge's seat and let God be God in his pronouncement of no condemnation. That is not therapy. That is the Bible.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. No condemnation.

Transcript from the video's captions on YouTube.

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