But now as for what is inside you — be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. Luke 11:41
“Now hear how many are the remissions of sins in the gospel. First is the one by which we are baptized “for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4). A second remission is martyrdom. Third, is that which is given through alms. For the Savior says, “but nevertheless, give what you have and, behold, all things are clean for you” (Luke 11:41). A fourth remission of sins is given for us through the fact that we also forgive the sins of our brothers. For thus the Lord and Savior Himself says, “If you will forgive from the heart your brother’s sins, your Father will also forgive your sins. But if you will not forgive your brothers from the heart, neither will your Father forgive you” (Matthew 6:14-15). And thus he taught us to say in prayer, “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). A fifth forgiveness is when “someone will convert a sinner from the error of his way” (James 5:20). For thus divine Scripture says, “Whoever will make a sinner turn from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). There is also a sixth forgiveness through the abundance of love as the Lord Himself says, “Truly I say to you, her many sins are forgiven because she loved much” (Luke 7:47). And the Apostle says, “Because love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). And there is still a seventh remission of sins through penance, although admittedly it is difficult and toilsome, when the sinner washes “his couch with tears” (Psalm 6:6) and his “tears” become his “bread day and night” (Psalm 42:3) when he is not ashamed to make known his sin to the priest of the Lord and to seek a cure according to the one who says, “I said, ‘I will proclaim to the Lord my injustice against myself,’ and you forgave the impiety of my heart (Psalm 31:5). What the Apostle James said is fulfilled in this; “But if anyone is sick, let that person call the presbyters of the Church, and they will place their hands on him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and if he is in sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15).
Origen of Alexandria (185-254) in Hom. Lev. 2.4.4-5 from The Fathers of the Church, vol. 83, Origen: Translation of Homiliae in Leviticus, as cited in Alms: Charity, Reward, and Atonement in Early Christianity by David J. Downs (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2016) 194.
Here we come to understand why Origen is known widely as the “Father of Christian Theology.” These seven remissions from the Scriptures make everything clean for us. What does that mean? We must understand biblical purity language to grasp the implications of this list.
Jesus is the only way of salvation, and He calls us to follow Him in righteousness and justice. That is, in the good and right way of making all things right. So when a person with much money shares with one who has little, perhaps someone in crisis, this is “clean” or pure and good.
Our generosity moves far beyond money to areas of forgiveness, prayer for others, showing abundant love, and more. So what should this collection of Scriptures inspire us to do this Advent as we await the coming of our Lord? I say pick one of the seven that fits your situation.
If you are sick, call the elders of your church to come pray over you and anoint you with oil in the name of the Lord. If you have sorrow over your sins, pour them out before the Lord on your couch knowing that He hears and sees your brokenness. If you have been blessed, serve a generous conduit of abundant love, as you can cover a multitude of sins with it because nothing can touch love. If someone owes you something or has wronged you, forgive the debts and the hurts. Sure, it’s hard. It’s only possible with God’s help, but see how it makes things clean and right. Following Jesus transforms us into generous agents of transformation.
So, what are you waiting for fellow follower of Christ? Let us live, give, forgive, serve, and love like Jesus. We do this even though it might cost us everything, including our lives. Those who “get it” will take hold of abundant life now because we won’t run out of forgiveness, love, or resources. God will supply! And unfathomable rewards await us for eternity.