The Sin Series CH.6: The Release.

A message to the Believer…

There is a difference between being released and being excused. One is a covenantal operation. The other is a sentimental gesture. The gospel does not end with forgiveness—it culminates in remission. And remission is not emotional—it is anatomical. It is the lifting away of the infection, the cancellation of the claim, the restoration of proximity. The believer is not merely pardoned—he is released. The debt is not merely overlooked—it is dissolved. The relationship is not merely tolerated—it is reconciled. This deep dive explores the mechanics of remission, the architecture of reconciliation, and the covenantal release that restores the human soul to divine proximity.

Luke 4:18 declares, “He has sent Me to proclaim release to captives… to set free those who are oppressed.” The word for release is ἄφεσις (aphesis)—not emotional relief, but legal liberation. It is the Jubilee term for debt cancellation, prisoner discharge, and land restoration. It is not a feeling—it is a transaction. It is not a mood—it is a mechanism. Hebrews 9:22 confirms, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” The word translated “forgiveness” is again aphesis—release. The blood does not soothe God’s emotions—it satisfies justice and dissolves the claim. The remission is not sentimental—it is surgical.

Colossians 1:13–14 says, “He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Redemption is ἀπολύτρωσις (apolutrōsis)—the buying back, the liberation from bondage. Forgiveness is aphesis—release. The believer is not merely tolerated—he is transferred. The domain has changed. The jurisdiction has shifted. The claim has been dropped. The record has been erased. The proximity has been restored.

Second Corinthians 5:18–19 declares, “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Yehoshua… God was in Yehoshua reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them.” Reconciliation is καταλλαγή (katallagē)—the restoration of relationship through the removal of offense. It is not appeasement—it is reunion. It is not tolerance—it is embrace. The offense is not ignored—it is absorbed. The wrong is not excused—it is extinguished. The relationship is not patched—it is rebuilt.

Romans 5:10 adds, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” The reconciliation is not theoretical—it is embodied. The death of the Son is the bridge. The life of the Son is the guarantee. The believer is not on probation—he is in union. The proximity is not fragile—it is covenantal.

But this release must be echoed horizontally. Matthew 18:21–22 records Peter asking, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother… up to seven times?” Yehoshua replies, “I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.” The word again is aphesis—release. Not emotional appeasement. Not psychological closure. Legal cancellation. Covenant echo. The believer must release others as he has been released. He must drop the claim as heaven has dropped his. He must dissolve the debt as the cross has dissolved his own.

Matthew 18:23–35 tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. He is forgiven a massive debt, but refuses to release a fellow servant from a minor one. The master revokes the release and delivers him to the jailers. This is not emotional volatility—it is covenantal coherence. You cannot receive release and refuse to echo it. You cannot be cured and continue to prosecute. You cannot be reconciled and continue to isolate.

But release is not recklessness. Boundaries are essential. Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.” Peace is not passivity—it is intentionality. It is the pursuit of relational health without compromising spiritual immunity. It is the practice of grace without the abandonment of discernment. Galatians 6:1 adds, “Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.” Restoration is the goal—but protection is the method. Boundaries are not punishment—they are wisdom. They preserve the integrity of the cure. They prevent reinfection. They honor the healing.

Restitution also plays a role. Luke 19:8 records Zacchaeus saying, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anyone of anything, I am giving back four times as much.” Restitution is not re-earning grace—it is repairing damage. It is the fruit of healing, not the price of forgiveness. Matthew 5:23–24 instructs, “If you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there… and go; first be reconciled to your brother.” Reconciliation is not optional—it is essential. It is the horizontal echo of vertical release.

To understand this, consider the prisoner whose sentence is commuted. He is not merely excused—he is released. Or the debt ledger that is wiped clean. The numbers are not hidden—they are erased. Or the quarantine zone that is lifted. The infection is gone—the proximity is restored. Or the courtroom where the case is dismissed. The claim is not postponed—it is dissolved. Or the family reunion after years of estrangement. The relationship is not tolerated—it is rebuilt.

This is the pastoral call. Teach remission, not appeasement. Teach reconciliation, not tolerance. Teach release, not emotional closure. Equip believers to drop claims, dissolve debts, and restore proximity. Train them to build boundaries that protect the cure. Help them repair harm without shame. And above all, teach them to live as those who have been released—not as those still under review.

The release is real. The reconciliation is complete. The remission is surgical. The proximity is restored. The fire stands ready. Live as one who has been released—and carry the cure to those still bound.