What is 'Forgiveness' All About?

   The forgiveness we read about in the Bible is referring to the complete “release” or a “dismissal” of something. The forgiveness we have through Jesus Christ releases sinners from God’s punishment and the charges against us are dropped as we find in Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Colossians 1:14 says, “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

   In God’s beloved Son, “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  We might compare it to a person waiting on death row, ready to be executed, when they recieve the mercy of a pardon from the Governor or the President. Some folks might look at forgiveness as letting an undeserving person “off the hook” so to speak. 

   But forgiveness is not given because a person deserves to be forgiven.  None of us deserve forgiveness because we are guilty of breaking God’s laws.  Forgiveness, instead, is a purposeful  act of love, mercy, and grace.  Forgiveness is the choice to not hold something against someone in spite of what they have done. 

   As it says in Hebrews 8:12, “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” When Jesus forgives our sins the record is wiped clean.