Do guilty, self-condemning thoughts keep troubling you? Do you wonder what it means to be forgiven by God, or even if it’s true that you are?
“I am forgiven” speaks to our restored relationship with God and adoption into His family and the Body of Christ. It is hugely important we know who we are in order to walk in our identity, experience the peace and freedom given to us, and not be deceived by the wiles of the enemy! As born again Christians, we are no longer under condemnation. Read on to learn how you are forgiven by God though Jesus Christ.
What is forgiveness?
Forgiveness can be defined a couple of different ways.
One definition that leans heavily on emotional forgiveness or feelings is to let go of anger or resentment towards someone for an offense or hurt caused. In other words, to hold no grudge against the offender. However, using this definition, it can be difficult to gauge whether forgiveness has occurred, as emotions can be volatile. Restoration of relationships can be difficult as well when emotions are leading the way.
The Biblical definition of forgiveness is a decision or commitment to pardon moral wrongs or offenses, regardless of the status of one’s feelings. It is the act of pardoning a repentant offender and releasing them from any debt owed for the offense or wrong done. The offended party lets go of exacting payment for the offense, and going forward, treats the offender as if they were not guilty. The offense is blotted out, now off the record. This is God’s method of forgiveness, and it is for the purpose of reconciliation. In this way, He lets go of our sin and pardons us from our debt when we repent and turn away from those sins. Our record is clean, and we go forward freely in reconciled relationship with God.
What forgiveness is not
Biblical forgiveness includes but is not the same as having an attitude of forgiveness or willingness to extend grace to an offender. Grace with a forgiving attitude is unconditional and freely given from one party; forgiveness requires repentance and is a transaction between two parties. Willingness to forgive and grace are necessary to begin the process of forgiveness, but repentance completes it with reconciliation of relationship. In His grace, God freely and unconditionally extends an offer of forgiveness to us. We receive this gift through the choice of repentance. (1 John 1:9)
Forgiveness does not mean the offender is not guilty or that they don’t deserve punishment. For example, we don’t deserve God’s forgiveness, even in our repentance. He graciously offers His forgiveness to us out of love, not because we are worthy of it.
Forgiveness does not instantly erase hurt. However, pardoning an offense does help prevent bitterness from setting in, which makes the hurt easier to heal and peace easier to obtain.
Forgiveness also does not necessarily mean there will be no consequences. There can still be natural repercussions for choices made, such as jail time for broken laws, damaged relationships due to broken trust, or harm caused that can never be undone.
What does God’s forgiveness mean for you?
Jesus Christ came to our world in the flesh to become a sacrifice for our sins. He paid the price for us. This means His blood shed on the cross cancels forever your debt of sin to the Father when you choose to believe on Him and to repent or turn away from your sin. Through Christ, God created a way for you to be restored in relationship with Him. Where before your spirit was dead in sin and cut off from God, it becomes alive in Christ and once again connected to your heavenly Father. You are made a brand new creation and are adopted into God’s family.
“When you were dead in your sins . . . God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”
Colossians 2: 13-14, NIV
In God’s immense love, He extends a generous and merciful gift of forgiveness to us. A gift we must choose to receive in faith and then live it by leaving our sinful choices behind. His grace empowers and enables us to live righteously by subduing our fleshly desires for those sinful choices.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”
Titus 2:11-12, NIV
God now sees you differently. You are a brand new creature.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV
You are washed clean and no longer stained by sin. No longer under condemnation for sin, but forgiven and set free in Christ. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
God’s Word tells us we are forgiven
We have only to look in God’s Word for the truth, and that truth includes our forgiven status. His Word contains many scriptures on the subject of His forgiveness and how we are set free. The following listed statements are taken from scripture and describe your new forgiven identity in Christ. Read and declare these over yourself to help solidify your new identity in your thinking! References for scripture locations are included with each statement for further study in the Bible.
- I have been redeemed and forgiven of my sins. (Colossians 1:14)
- I have been forgiven of all my sins; the debt against me has been canceled. (Colossians 2:13-14)
- I am free from condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
- I am holy in His sight, blameless and free from accusation. (Colossians 1:22)
- I am forgiven on the account of Jesus’ name. (1 John 2:12)
- I have been redeemed and purified. (Titus 2:14)
- I have been justified and completely reconciled with God. (Romans 5:1)
- I have been redeemed and forgiven, a recipient of His extravagant grace bestowed upon me. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
Forgiven Identity Summary
“I have been forgiven”…this means all debts of your sin have been canceled and are no more. They have been removed forever from you as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Because you have been redeemed. And this because you are loved so much by God.
“I have been redeemed” means you have been delivered (rescued from danger) and set free (saved from sin).
“I have been justified” means Jesus paid the price for you so that you don’t have to. Justified is a judicial term. His blood shed on the cross removes all your guilt and releases you from punishment.
So now, when the enemy tries to put guilt on you, by lying to you and trying to get you to agree with condemnation, you must counter that. Take those thoughts captive, and armed with the Word of God, turn them back to the truth, demolishing the lies. (2 Corinthians 10:5) “I am redeemed!” “I am holy, blameless, and free from condemnation!” Speak those truths out loud and squash the wiles of the enemy!
God’s promises are for you
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
Ps. 86:5, KJV
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9, KJV
Speak these words over yourself and know that they apply to you:
“By His grace I am washed clean and purified.
I am sanctified, or made holy, which means I can be in close relationship (reconciled) with the Father. It makes me acceptable and able to worship. I can boldly come to Him and make my requests to Him. While I have sinned, and sometimes still do (with great regret) as I am growing in Christ, the sin is wiped away in my repentance, so that I can stay in close relationship with Him.
He has blotted out my transgressions and removed my sins, for I have been redeemed. (Isaiah 44:22) Hallelujah!”
Forgiven is a Golden Promise. Being able to worship and praise our Lord everyday, anytime and anywhere. He wants that relationship and so do I. Praise the Lord we are so loved.
YES!! Hallelujah and praise the Lord! God bless you, Sandy!