Sin is a problem that affects each and every one of us. In Romans 3:23, Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It is a problem that, if left unchecked, will result in eternal punishment. In Romans 6:23, Paul later wrote, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life….” But it is also a problem to which God has provided the solution. God has made His forgiveness of our sins the solution to this universal problem.
To be forgiven is to be pardoned. When God forgives our sins, we are released and set free; He will never count those sins against us again. God Himself said, “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17).
Forgiveness is possible because of Jesus’ death on the cross. When Jesus gave His sinless life on the cross, He became the perfect, willing, and final sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:10-14). Without His victory over sin, our forgiveness could never happen (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Forgiveness now requires our action. God has willingly provided the solution, but it is up to each individual to take Him up on the offer. To be forgiven of sins a person must hear and believe the gospel, repent or turn away from their sin, confess Jesus’ name, and then be baptized for that forgiveness. At that moment, every sin is washed away and will never be counted against them again. If a person sins after baptism, they must again repent and humbly ask God to forgive them.
It is an incredible blessing to know that our sins, no matter how great or voluminous, can be forgiven by God. Have your sins been forgiven?
Matt Langfield