What Is Forgiveness?

QUESTION: What is forgiveness?

ANSWER:

What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is the essence of Christianity, the heart of the gospel. We are sinful, but God is just. God also loves and is merciful so He reconciles His justice and mercy in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth as a man to live a sinless life and was crucified. It is His crucifixion and His resurrection, which makes forgiveness possible. All of our past, present, and future sins is forgiven through faith in Christ.

“And what a difference between our sin and God's generous gift of forgiveness. For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this other man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God's bountiful gift” (Romans 5:15).

What is forgiveness?
Forgiveness is one of the best definitions of a Christian. Mercy and grace help us to understand forgiveness. Mercy is not getting the punishment our sins deserve, and grace is getting the gift of eternal life. The shed blood of Christ paid the penalty for our sins. His sacrifice redeemed us and we have been forgiven.

“In fact, we can say that according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified by sprinkling with blood. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).

In our human mind, it is hard to grasp His forgiveness. We wonder if God could forgive every sin, even the most horrible sins. We wonder if God gets tired of forgiving us, or if there is a limit to His grace. Again the Bible answers these questions.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong” (1 John 1:9).

He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).

God’s forgiveness is a powerful truth. Learning about it, accepting it, and understanding it will free us to be the men and women He created us to be. It will free us to serve Him wholeheartedly.

Will you accept His forgiveness today?