God forgives you! That’s the message from 1 John 1:9, ‘But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins.’ Also from Romans 3:25 “So God forgives the sins of those who have faith.” This Bible study will show you why this is true.

God Forgives You, To Be Forgiven, You Must Forgive

Introduction

God forgives you—is it hard to believe that the God of creation will forgive you for doing things that do not please Him? There are conditions that you must understand and obey to receive forgiveness. This study will give Scriptures to help you understand what the conditions are.

Jesus gives you one condition; if you forgive others, God will forgive you! Yes, God forgives you IF you forgive others. So be sure to forgive others!

For if you forgive the wrongs people have done [to you], your heavenly Father will also forgive the wrongs you have done [to Him]. 15 But if you do not forgive the wrongs people have done [to you], neither will your Father forgive the wrongs you have done [to Him]. Matthew 6:14-15 (AUV)

Some do not believe there is a need for forgiveness since they have not done anything to require it. Everyone needs forgiveness.

All have sinned

Look, I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5 (NET)

It is clear in the Psalm that we are sinners at birth, but why? We turn to Romans 5:19 for the answer. “Clearly, through one person’s disobedience humanity became sinful, and through one person’s obedience humanity will receive God’s approval.” (GW)

Adam sinned but Jesus did not. ♦ 1 Corinthians 15:22 “Adam brought death to all of us, and Christ will bring life to all of us.” (CEV)

♦ Romans 3:23 helps us further understand that all people have sinned. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (KJV)

If we say that we have not sinned, we are making God a liar, and his message has no place in us. 1 John 1:10 (OEB)

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Forgiveness

Is it hard to believe and understand that God forgives you? Hopefully, by the end of this study, you will see it more clearly. John gives another condition.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (RKJNT)

Yes, God forgives you IF you confess your sins.

Forgiveness defined

Forgiveness is the act of excusing, overlooking or clearing, pardoning, and releasing another from their crimes, flaws, and errors. As a religious word, forgiveness refers to God’s mercy towards the badness and evil of people. He is willing to forgive the sinful things that people do.

He told them, “This is how it is written: the Messiah[a] was to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and then repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47 (ISV)

You may notice different words for forgiveness in your Bible. For an example, look at the word remission in Acts 2:38. I reviewed 98 translations/revisions dating from 400 (Latin Vulgate) through 2012 (The Voice), and the results:

remission = 47 ♦ forgiveness = 34 ♦ forgiven = 14 ♦ release = 3 ♦ forgive = once ♦ and pardon = once.

NOTE: The Amplified (AMP) used forgiveness and release; eXeGeses Ready Research Bible (ERRB) used remission and forgiveness.

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isaiah 43:25 (KJV)

The Perfect Sacrifice

Why did Jesus have to die?

Have you searched the Bible for answers to this question and found many scriptures that speak of God forgiving the sins of humankind? Hopefully, you understand the question. Without going too deep, if we read the Old Testament the high priests performed (blood) sacrifices for sins.

And, according to the law of Moses, almost everything is [ceremonially] cleansed by blood, for there is no forgiveness [of sins] apart from the shedding of blood. Hebrews 9:22 (AUV)

There was a problem with this approach. In short, the problem was that the high priests also had sinned. The solution: Jesus, the permanent high priest who had NO sin, offered one sacrifice (himself) for all sin.

“Who has no need, as do those high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people: for this he [Jesus] did once for all, when he offered up himself.” Hebrews 7:27 (RKJNT)

Jesus paid for you

In [fellowship with] Christ we have redemption [i.e., we have been bought back from Satan] through His blood, and have forgiveness of sins according to the abundance of God’s unearned favor [grace], Ephesians 1:7 (AUV)

Under the law [of Moses] almost all things are cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness [Hebrews 9:22]. Jesus paid the price and saved you from the penalty for sin. Now you must believe that God forgives you, the blood of Jesus made it possible.

And when they were taking food, Jesus took bread and, after blessing it, he gave the broken bread to the disciples and said, Take it; this is my body. 27 And he took a cup and, having given praise, he gave it to them, saying,

28 Take of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the testament, which is given for men for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28 (BBE)

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Applied

When does the forgiveness of sin come into effect? According to Peter, God forgives you when you repent and are water baptized in the name of Jesus!

Peter said to them, “Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ. Then God will forgive your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (ERV)

Do not get confused when you read what Peter says later regarding faith [Acts 10:43]. He reinforces the need for water baptism in verse 48.

To him all the prophets give witness, that through his name everyone who has faith in him will have forgiveness of sins. 48 And he gave orders for them to have baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they kept him with them for some days. Acts 10:43 & 48 (BBE)

Through water baptism

God will forgive you when you repent and receive water baptism. In his letter to the faithful in Colossae, Paul confirmed this as well.

Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body. Colossians 2:11 (CEV) 12 For in baptism you were buried with Christ; and in baptism, you were also raised to life with him, through your faith in the omnipotence of God, who raised him from the dead.

13 And to you, who once were ‘dead,’ by reason of your sins and your uncircumcised nature — to you God gave life in giving life to Christ!

Sins pardoned

He pardoned all our sins! 14 And He canceled the bond which stood against us — the bond that consisted of ordinances — and which was directly hostile to us!

He has taken it out of our way by nailing it to the cross! 15 He rid himself of all the powers of evil, and held them up to open contempt when he celebrated his triumph over them on the cross! Colossians 2:12-15 (OEB)

Sins washed away

In Acts 22:12-16, Paul (Saul) speaks of Ananias about (water) baptism. Because Ananias baptized Paul.

What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’ Acts 22:16 (NLT)

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Wrap-up

Be not judges of others, and you will not be judged: do not give punishment to others, and you will not get punishment yourselves: make others free, and you will be made free: Luke 6:37 (BBE)

God forgives you

Because of this it was necessary for him [Jesus] to be made like his brothers in every way, so that he might be a high priest full of mercy and keeping faith in everything to do with God, making offerings for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is [also] able to help those who [suffer when they] are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18 (BBE-17 and AUV-18)

What a wonderful and loving God willing to become like His created human beings to save us.

Keep on being brave! It will bring you great rewards. (CEV) 36 You need to endure so that you can receive the promises after you do God’s will. (CEB) 37 As the Scriptures say,
“God is coming soon!
It won’t be very long. (CEV)
38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him. (HCSB) 39 But we have never turned our backs on God and sealed our fate. No, our faith in him assures our souls’ salvation. (TLB) Hebrews 10:35-39 (a compilation)

Hopefully, you have a better understanding of why God forgives you, now forgive others and yourself! Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim.

Scriptures to read and study:

Matthew 6:5-15 [(14-15); compare Mark 11:25-26 and Luke 6:37-42 (37)]. Psalms 51:5-6 (5); Romans 5:12-21 (19); 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (22). Romans 3:21-26 (23); Genesis 2:8-3:24; 1 John 1:5-10 (9-10).

Acts 2:14-47 (38); Luke 24:44-47 (46-47). Hebrews 7:20-28 (27); Ephesians 1:3-14 (7, 13-14). Colossians 1:9-18 (13-14); Hebrews 9:16-28 (22 and 28). 1 John 4:7-11 (9); Acts 10:34-48 (43 and 48); Colossians 2:8-23 (11-15); Acts 22:1-21 [(16); reference Acts 9:10-19].

Hebrews 10:26-39 (35-39); Isaiah 43:22-28 (25); Hebrews 2:11-18 (17-18).

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:

Forgive Each Other – Learn How to Forgive with Love – an estimated 23-minute read.

God Will Forgive You, Now Don’t Worry Be Happy – an estimated 29-minute read.

You Are Forgiven, Wonderful, Go And Sin No More – an estimated 5-minute read.

Forgive Yourself; God Forgave You, Now You Forgive Yourself! – an estimated 4-minute read.

♥ Question for “God Forgives You, To Be Forgiven, You Must Forgive”: Have you received forgiveness for your sins?

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I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing tim@stministry.com. Have a fantabulous day!