How God forgives us for our sins has been misunderstood by many Christians. It’s important for a Christian to know, and understand, that once they’ve brought their tainted soul to Jesus and received his salvation, all their sins are forgiven. All, as in past, present, and future. This is difficult to grasp, and legalistic teaching has said otherwise.
Does that mean a Christian doesn’t have to keep asking God for forgiveness of their sins? What it really means is how we keep asking, and why we keep asking is for a different reason than eternal salvation.
What Jesus Did
The legalistic teaching that keeps Christians in bondage and fear says every sin must be confessed for them to go to heaven. This is not true and flies in the face of the great work accomplished on the cross by our Savior.
The Bible is clear:
For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time (Hebrews, 10:10 NLT).
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7).
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).
Jesus justified us once and for all time not based on our works, but his.
To justify means: “To show a satisfactory reason or excuse for something done; to qualify as bail or surety” (Law). “To declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit” (Theology).
This kind of forgiveness is called judicial.
What Jesus did for us gives us the ability to be declared innocent before the righteous judge of all creation. To fully grasp this brings us to “inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8).
What We Need to Do
So, if we’re saved and completely forgiven is there anything we need to do in regard to the forgiveness of sins? Yes. It’s all about relationship.
We receive eternal salvation once. Just like a baby is born just one time, we are born again once by the Spirit of God and become alive in his family.
Just like a baby matures and grows, we are to grow in our Christian lives. Although we’re made clean and righteous through Jesus, our habits, thoughts, and behaviors need to be transformed by him. Transformation takes time.
In our journey to become more like our redeemer, we make plenty of mistakes along the way. Some sins are quickly left behind, while others are more deeply rooted.
Every time we sin it grieves God. He knows it hurts us and it puts stress on the relationship. This is where asking for forgiveness comes in. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
He is faithful to forgive us and just in applying the payment made by Jesus through his blood to restore our relationship.
To help you understand, think of a relationship you have where a wrong has been done. Something you did, or something someone did to you. How did it strain the relationship?
Fellowship is weakened or broken, conversation is difficult or stopped. Trust is affected. But when forgiveness is sought and given, the relationship can be restored.
This is relational forgiveness. God has already forgiven us and wants close fellowship with us.
When we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, we do two things: We agree with God that we messed up and need the righteousness he alone can provide, and we remind ourselves of God’s amazing love and the finished work of Jesus Christ.
How We Keep Asking
What keeps us from asking for forgiveness is pride, fear, and shame. All of these have been taken to the cross.
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor (1 Peter 5:6, NLT).
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2).
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16, NKJV).
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13).
When we know and understand that God has already forgiven us, we’ll keep asking God for forgiveness with confidence knowing he’ll give it to us.
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Danielle Bernock is an international, award-winning author, coach, and speaker who helps people embrace their value and heal their souls through the power of the love of God. She’s written Emerging With Wings, A Bird Named Payn, Love’s Manifesto, Because You Matter, and hosts the Victorious Souls Podcast. A long-time follower of Christ, Danielle lives with her husband in Michigan near her adult children and grandchildren. For more information or to connect with Danielle https://www.daniellebernock.com/
