Understanding how and when God forgives sins, which sins He forgives, and who receives forgiveness raises many questions. People often struggle with these issues, like concerns about the unforgivable sin, willful sins, backsliding, and repentance. Throughout my years of ministry as a pastor and traveling minister, forgiveness has been the most frequently asked-about topic! When we doubt God’s forgiveness, it impacts our daily lives, our faith, and our relationship with Him. Many find it hard to believe that God is good and forgives us without us doing anything.
TEMPORAL OR ETERNAL FORGIVENESS?
Is God’s forgiveness in Christ temporary and just for Christians, or eternal and for everyone? If it’s temporary, doubts arise; if eternal, it brings confidence and peace, securing all promises of God’s Kingdom through Christ. Understanding from scripture that God’s forgiveness through Christ is eternal and covers all sins and people brings us peace and confidence!
FORGIVENESS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
In Psalm 103: 2-12, King David looks forward to the New Covenant and claims this forgiveness for his own sins. He praises God for His abundant benefits: forgiveness of iniquities, healing of diseases, redemp9on from destruc9on, and the renewal of strength. David recounts God’s mercy, grace, and patience, emphasizing that God does not treat us according to our sins but removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. Astoundingly, many scholars believe David wrote this Psalm during a time of great personal regret due to his sin with Bathsheba, which led to the deaths of two people. Under the Old Covenant, David faced a death sentence (Lev 20:10). He acknowledges his sin in Psalm 51:1, asking for God’s mercy and steadfast love. Isaiah 43:25 and Jeremiah 31:33-34 also prophesy the New Covenant promises of God’s forgiveness, declaring He will remember our sins no more.
NEW TESTAMENT ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Hebrews 9:26-28 states that Jesus appeared once for all to put away sin by His sacrifice. In these passages, we learn that Christ will return, not to deal with sin again, but to bring full salvation to those waiting for Him. We are blessed to experience what Isaiah, Jeremiah, and David prophesied: Our sins are blocked out and remembered no more! Hebrews 10:16-18 emphasizes God’s new covenant with humanity, where His laws are written on our hearts and minds. God promises not to remember our sins and lawless deeds anymore, ensuring our complete forgiveness! This absolute remission means no further sacrifices are needed for sin. 1 John 2:2 says, “And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) FOR OUR SINS, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the WHOLE WORLD.” This means that Jesus died for all sin, for all men, for all people, both sinners and saints!
RECONCILIATION FOR MANKIND
In 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Paul shares that God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting men’s sins against them, and has now entrusted us with this message of reconciliation. Despite the difficulty many have in understanding and believing it, sin no longer stands as a barrier between God and humanity. Although sin is deadly, God no longer holds or counts people’s sins against them. Even those who haven’t embraced salvation have their sins forgiven; they need only accept Jesus and His forgiveness upon hearing the Good News.
When were We Forgiven and Delivered?
Ephesians 2:4-5 (KJV) says,“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” We were forgiven and delivered while still dead in our trespasses, before repentance or confession, and even before we were born. Our forgiveness depends entirely on Jesus’ finished work, not on our ac9ons. This is the Good News of God’s grace! Believe this Good News and refuse the bad news! God is not scru9nizing your life to find faults. Since God has forgiven the sins of the whole world, your sins are forgiven and eternally removed. Declare this today: “Because of Jesus and His finished work, I am totally and eternally forgiven and accepted. I am righteous and holy, and every blessing in Christ is mine!
