
Even the most faithful among us can be haunted by the sins of our past. While we know that our sins are forgiven when we believe in and follow Jesus, we may still wonder if there are exceptions. We may think that our sins are too numerous or too bad for God to forgive. However, the Bible tells us that Jesus died for our sins and that through him, we are forgiven. So, how can we be sure our sins are forgiven?
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
God's forgiveness is dependent on | Faith in Jesus Christ and his finished work on the Cross |
God's forgiveness is | Unconditional |
God forgives | Sincerely repentant sinners |
God forgives | Instantly |
God forgives | Without requiring penance |
God forgives | Without requiring perfection |
God forgives | Through Jesus' sacrifice |
God forgives | Through Jesus' authority |
God forgives | Through Jesus' power |
What You'll Learn
Jesus forgives sins through his work on the cross
Jesus, the Son of God, was sent to Earth to lead people to God, whom they can only approach through forgiveness paid for by Christ in the flesh. Jesus, being God in the flesh, had the power and authority to forgive sins. He was not only able to forgive; this is what he came for.
Jesus forgave sinners and offered them salvation, even though only God was authorized to forgive sins. He forgave the paralytic of his sins and healed him. He forgave a thief on the cross and promised him paradise. Jesus forgave and healed a bleeding woman, restoring her place in the community. He forgave a sinful woman at Simon the Pharisee's house. He forgave Peter, who denied him three times, and restored him.
Jesus forgives us as we walk in the light with a humble faith in him. When we become conscious of our sin, we are to confess it with a genuine, repentant heart, and God forgives us instantly. Jesus’ blood continues to cleanse us as we walk with him.
Jesus is the key to our forgiveness. He is the ultimate sacrifice, the perfect, spotless, unblemished lamb of God, who took on the sins of the world when he died on the cross. He stood in for us and canceled out our debt.
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God forgives sins when confessed and repented
God's forgiveness of sins is a central tenet of the Christian faith. The Bible teaches that God loves to forgive our sins when we confess and repent. This is a profound concept: God removes our transgressions from us completely, as far as "the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12).
The Bible is clear that we must confess our sins to God and repent, turning from our old ways, in order to receive forgiveness. 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." This is reiterated in other verses, such as Luke 15:18–22 and 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Repentance is more than just regret; it involves actively steering our lives back onto God's path. It is a process of striving to do right and turning away from deliberate, rebellious, and ongoing sin. This does not mean we will never sin again, but that we are committed to resisting sin and seeking God's forgiveness when we do stumble.
Jesus Christ is central to God's forgiveness. Through his death on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and made forgiveness possible. As Jesus himself said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Jesus also emphasised the importance of forgiveness, urging his followers to forgive others as they themselves have been forgiven. In Matthew 6:14, he said, "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
In summary, God forgives sins when we confess and repent, and this forgiveness is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ and strive to follow his example of forgiveness towards others.
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Jesus forgives sins before his death on the cross
Jesus forgave sins before his death on the cross, and this is recorded in the Bible. For example, in Luke 5:20, Jesus tells a paralysed man that his sins are forgiven. In another instance, recorded in Luke 7:48, Jesus tells a sinful woman who came to him while he was eating at a Pharisee's house that her sins are forgiven.
Jesus had the power to forgive sins before his death on the cross. As God incarnate, he had the authority to forgive sins from the start of his ministry. This is demonstrated in the story of the paralytic, where Jesus' authority is described as being "different from that of the religious leaders".
Jesus also connected the healing of physical illness and injury with the forgiveness of sins. In Matthew 9:5, he asks, "For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?". By forgiving sins and healing people, Jesus was confirming his authority to dispense spiritual healing.
Jesus' ability to forgive sins is central to the gospel message. As Acts 13:38 states: "through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you".
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Jesus forgives sins to show his authority
In the New Testament, Jesus not only claims the power to forgive sins but also exercises it, often to the astonishment and consternation of the religious leaders of his time. One of the most direct assertions of Jesus' authority to forgive sins is found in the Synoptic Gospels, in the account of the healing of the paralytic. In Mark's Gospel, Jesus declares to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven", to which the scribes present question, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?". Jesus responds, "So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins", and then commands the paralytic to rise, take up his mat, and walk. This miracle serves as a visible demonstration of his authority, linking the physical healing with the spiritual forgiveness he offers.
In another instance, Jesus illustrates his authority to forgive sins in the account of the sinful woman who anoints his feet. When the Pharisee hosting Jesus questions his acceptance of the woman's actions, Jesus tells a parable about two debtors and concludes by saying to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven". The other guests question, "Who is this who even forgives sins?". Jesus affirms her faith, saying, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace".
Jesus' authority to forgive sins is intrinsically linked to his identity as the Son of God. In John's Gospel, Jesus explains, "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes. Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, so that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father". This passage highlights the divine prerogative granted to Jesus, affirming his equality with the Father and his unique role in the divine plan of salvation.
The forgiveness of sins by Jesus is also a fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy and expectation. In Isaiah, the suffering servant is described as one who "bears the iniquities of many", providing a foundation for understanding Jesus' sacrificial role. The New Testament writers consistently present Jesus as the fulfilment of these messianic prophecies, emphasising his authority to forgive as part of his redemptive mission.
Jesus' authority to forgive sins was a point of significant controversy among the religious leaders of his day. The scribes and Pharisees often accused him of blasphemy, as seen in the accounts of the paralytic and the sinful woman. Their resistance highlights the radical nature of Jesus' claims and actions, which challenged the established religious norms and pointed to his divine identity.
In conclusion, Jesus' authority to forgive sins is a profound aspect of his ministry, revealing his divine nature and his role as the mediator between God and humanity. Through his words and actions, Jesus not only forgives sins but also invites individuals into a restored relationship with God, offering peace and salvation to all who believe.
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Jesus forgives sins to show he is the Messiah
Jesus forgives sins to show that he is the Messiah.
Jesus, being God in the flesh, had the power and authority to forgive sins. In Matthew 9:6, he said, "I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." This statement was made in response to the doubt of the religious leaders, who believed that Jesus was dishonoring God by forgiving sins.
Jesus' ability to forgive sins is a fulfilment of the prophecy that the Messiah would bear the iniquities of the people and be punished for their sins, as described in Isaiah 53:4-6, 11: "He was pierced for our transgressions... The punishment that brought our peace was upon him; and by his wounds, we are healed... My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities."
Jesus lived a sinless life and, through his death, provided a way for our sins to be forgiven. As it is written in Acts 13:38, "through Jesus, the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you." This forgiveness is available to all who believe in him and follow his command to forgive others.
Jesus demonstrated his authority to forgive sins on multiple occasions. In one instance, he told a paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven," and then healed him of his physical ailment. In another instance, he told his disciples, "If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
Jesus' power to forgive sins is a testament to his messianic identity and a fulfilment of the prophecy that the Messiah would bear the sins of the people. Through faith in Jesus and his finished work on the cross, we can be assured of God's forgiveness and experience the freedom and redemption that he offers.
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Frequently asked questions
We can be sure our sins are forgiven through our faith in the finished work of Jesus on the Cross.
The Bible says that forgiveness of sins is God's business. It also says that forgiveness is based on Jesus' shed blood on the cross.
Forgiveness of sins and healing are both part of the atonement and are impossible without God.
Jesus said, "If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven".