5 Truths You Need to Know About God’s Forgiveness

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When is the last time you found yourself celebrating the gift of God’s forgiveness with joy?

It can be hard to admit our sinfulness, can’t it? I don’t like to admit my flaws and failures . . . the times and ways I’ve failed to glorify God by things I’ve said and done . . . and the things I’ve neglected to do.

When I was growing up, we all recited a confession of sins that began…

 “Merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto Thee all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended Thee, and justly deserve Thy temporal and eternal punishment.“

David knew the feeling of being a miserable sinner…

When I refused to confess my sin,
    my body wasted away,
    and I groaned all day long.

Psalm 32:3

Yet, as I looked closely at Psalm 32, I realized that there are:

5 Important Truths About God’s Forgiveness

1. The journey to forgiveness begins with guilt.

You and I are guilty. We are sinners. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and our need to repent. Jesus said,

“When [the Holy Spirit] comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.”

John 16:8

2. The truth is that God wants to forgive us.

God created us to love and He sent Jesus to save us because He loves us.

God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Romans 5:8

3. The blessing of God’s forgiveness follows admission and confession.

The Bible says that if we say we claim we are without sin, we’re lying to ourselves but…

If we tell Him our sins, He is faithful and we can depend on Him to forgive us of our sins. He will make our lives clean from all sin.

1 John 1:9 (NLV)

4. The freedom of forgiveness is the ability to live guilt-free.

Living without guilt and shame is the freedom Jesus came to give us. He said, “If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (John 8:36)

So now, those who are in Christ Jesus are not judged guilty. Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free from the law that brings sin and death.

Romans 8:1–2 (NCV)

5. The joy of forgiveness is being declared righteous in God’s sight.

So, we can live each day with joy knowing we are forgiven and free now and forever.

“Oh, what joy for those
    whose disobedience is forgiven,
    whose sins are put out of sight.
Yes, what joy for those
    whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”

Psalm 32: 1–2 and Romans 4:7–8

God wants us to live free of guilt and shame knowing that our sins have been removed.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to You
    and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
    And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. 

Psalm 32:5

God wants us to know and experience the joy of forgiveness.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Celebrate God’s Forgiveness with Joy

Father, I’m a sinner. I know You know that. It’s not a secret to You. I try to keep it a secret from the people around me but they know it too. I fail to love the way You want me to. I fail to glorify You the way I should. I fail to speak with kindness and respect. I can be prideful and critical, and irritable when You want me to be humble, patient, and compassionate.

I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I believe Your promises. I believe that Jesus lived, died, and rose again so that I might live forgiven and free. I believe that You are loving, gracious, and merciful. And I believe that through Jesus I am promised a beautiful future that I don’t deserve and cannot earn.

It is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone that I am forgiven and free. And I will live with joy and say with David, “You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.” I will rejoice and be glad. In Christ Jesus, I have everything I need now and always. Amen.

Friend, God didn’t wait for sinners, like you and me, to stop sinning before He sent Jesus . . . He chose to save us while we were still sinners. So, we can humbly take Him our guilt and shame to Him in repentance and ask Him for forgiveness trusting that He is faithful to keep His promises.

That makes God’s forgiveness a reason to celebrate with joy! Now and always!

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