The main message of Jesus and the cross is that our sins are forgiven; but what does that actually mean? I have encountered many people who claim to understand the message of forgiveness and yet when searching their hearts truly have trouble with this concept.

Today I would like to go into some detail about forgiveness and what it actually means in the Bible, because when people truly realize the depth of the forgiveness of Jesus then they can truly be freed of the
condemnation and curses of sin.

First, let’s examine what forgiveness is not.

It is not forgiveness to tell someone that you forgive them while continuing to hold a grudge in your heart.

It is also not forgiveness to outwardly forgive someone while still keeping them away or treating them differently than before.

A common phrase that goes around is “I can forgive them, but I don’t have to break bread with them.” I heard that one a lot and I used to believe it… but the more I thought about it, one question that continually came to my mind was “If you truly have forgiven them, why wouldn’t you break bread with them?”

If that’s what the average person thinks forgiveness is, then it’s no wonder that they have trouble with the true forgiveness taught in scripture.

The Bible idea of forgiveness is very much different than the idea of forgiveness of the world. Today I was watching a biography of Casey Anthony, and it was clear to me that whether she is truly guilty or innocent, she will always be condemned in the eyes of the world; and the incidents surrounding her will never be removed from her record regardless of the verdict of her trial.

The trouble with this is that we have a tendency to project our own human behaviors onto our Heavenly Father. We think that because the world forgives in a half-hearted way which still condemns, that our Father God also behaves in like manner, and that is simply not the case.

Let’s look at what the Bible says about the forgiveness of God. The LORD says in Isaiah 43:25:

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” 

And in Hebrews 10:17:

“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” 

When God forgives, He truly and totally forgets. He does not hold a grudge nor does He hold us at arms length.  The story of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-32 is a very clear example of how God does not forgive half-heartedly or avoid us when we are in need of forgiveness., but He is quick to forgive and forgive completely.

Not only that, but He is also faithful to forgive, whether it is our first time, or our hundredth time, it is the same to Him, as 1^st John 1:9 states plainly: 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 

It doesn’t matter how many times, or how bad you think your sins are… simply confess to God, not holding anything back (he knows it all anyway), and your sins will be forgiven, and forgiven completely!

As we continue to enlarge our vision of Jesus and how He has purchased our complete forgiveness, it gives us the freedom to forgive others completely as He does. Now some have asked me why it is important to forgive others as God does; the answer is two-fold:

Firstly because we are not to judge others nor condemn anyone. God is the judge.

And secondly, because if we are to hold anything against anyone we become hypocrites and testify against ourselves because Jesus has bought forgiveness for all.

We condemn ourselves if we do not forgive others as stated in Mark 11:25:

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

If we hold a grudge against anyone, we ultimately do not harm anyone but ourselves. In-fact I have seen people healed of real physical diseases once they truly release their grudges and bitterness against others.

But the good news is that once we see the full scope of Jesus’ forgiveness for us, then we have no trouble forgiving others, and our sins, faithfully forgiven by God are gone – and gone for all time, completely erased!