FEATURE
How do I receive forgiveness
from God?"
What is forgiveness and why do
I need it?
The word "forgive" means to
wipe the slate clean, to pardon, to
cancel a debt. When we wrong
someone, we seek their forgiveness
in order for the relationship to be
restored. Forgiveness is not granted
because a person deserves to be
forgiven. No one deserves to be
forgiven. Forgiveness is an act of
love, mercy, and grace. Forgive-
ness is a decision to not hold
something against another person,
despite what they have done to you.
The Bible tells us that we are
all in need of forgiveness from
God. We have all committed sin.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 proclaims,
"There is not a righteous man on
earth who does what is right and
never sins." 1 John 1:8 says, "If we
claim to be without sin, we deceive
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ourselves and the truth is not in
us." All sin is ultimately an act of
rebellion against God (Psalm 51:4).
As a result, we desperately need
God’s forgiveness. If our sins are
not forgiven, we will spend eternity
suffering the consequences of our
sins (Matthew 25:46; John 3:36).
Forgiveness – How do I get it?
Thankfully, God is loving and
merciful – eager to forgive us of
our sins! 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, "…He
is patient with you, not wanting
anyone to perish, but everyone to
come to repentance." God desires
to forgive us, so He provided for
our forgiveness.
The only just penalty for our
sins is death. The first half of
Romans 6:23 declares, "For the
wages of sin is death…" Eternal
death is what we have earned for
our sins. God, in His perfect plan,
became a human being – Jesus
Christ (John 1:1,14). Jesus died
on the cross, taking the penalty
that we deserve – death.
2 Corinthians 5:21 teaches us,
Answer: Acts 13:38 declares,
"Therefore, my brothers, I want
you to know that through Jesus the
forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to
you."