How do we know that the sins of believers are forgiven?

The assurance of forgiveness for believers is rooted in the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the sins of His people, as seen in 1 John 1:9 which states, 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' This promise solidifies the believer's position before God, assuring them of their complete justification. Colossians 2:13-14 further emphasizes this by declaring that God made us alive together with Christ, having forgiven us all our trespasses and cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness. Therefore, the believer's forgiveness is not based on their merit or performance but on the grace of God manifested in Christ's redemptive work. This foundation of grace is what empowers believers to live in faith and obedience, confident that their sins, though acknowledged, are eternally erased from their record.