“By Remission” ( Luke 1: 77, KJV ) by Carley Evans

⁷⁶And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

⁷⁷To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

⁷⁸Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.”

Remission is defined as the slowing of disease, the lessening or temporary reduction or disappearance of the disease; remission is also defined as the release from a debt, penalty or obligation.

I wonder how the word “remission” changed to “forgiveness?” Remission, it seems to me, fully captures our state here on earth. Once we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we are released from our debt to God; we no longer carry the penalty of death; we no longer are obliged to sin. Yet, as we remain earthbound, we find the sin — that so easily entangles — is reduced or lessened, and is — whether slowly or rapidly — disappearing over time. Sin’s power is broken, but like a disease in remission, it lingers looking for any opportunity to resurface.

Praise God, that the penalty for sin is paid and we are forgiven through “the tender mercy of our God!”