The Forgiveness Of Sins

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: - Colossians 1:14

    All sin originates in the heart, and is against God. All mankind are sinners by virtue of our fallen nature. We do what we do because we are what we are. We sin because we are sinners. The forgiveness that counts must come from the one who is sinned against—God!

    With him there is forgiveness. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (Ps 130:3-4).

    Forgiveness of sin with the Lord is much more than just words. Sin must be actually and completely put away forever—I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more (Jer 31:34). The motive for forgiveness of sin is the eternal love of God. The work of forgiveness is the substitutionary work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because God did love his people, and has always loved his people, he sent his Son to put away their sin by the sacrifice of himself. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 Jn 4:10).

    The forgiveness of our sin originated in the heart, mind, and purpose of God, and was accomplished in time in the person and work of Christ, In whom (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Col 1:14). Not only are our sins forgiven in Christ, we are forgiven!

    The proof, or evidence, of our being forgiven is God given faith in Christ. This faith of God’s elect reveals to us our acceptance before God in Christ. He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Eph 1:6-7). Faith reveals to us that we are not under the condemnation of the law of God, because we are forgiven in Christ. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1).

    Therefore, it is by the grace of God alone that we are forgiven. There is no way that man can atone for sin, or make himself acceptable before God, by some outward reformation. Forgiving is what God does, without our help. If we seek forgiveness, it is because we are forgiven, and by his grace we will know that we are.

    Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this manis preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses (Acts 13:38-39).