In Scripture, forgiveness is presented to us from two points of view.
- The side of God: God’s thoughts towards the sinner whom he forgives. On the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, God no longer considers those who trust in Christ’s blood guilty. “Their sins and their lawlessnesses I will never remember no more” (Heb 10:17).
- The sinner’s side: the guilty person is freed; he is forgiven. “That they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:18). “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Ps 103:12). “Your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake” (1 John 2:12). Consequently, it applies to all true children of God that their sins are forgiven. The entire guilty past is forgiven, taken away from us; the principle on which forgiveness is based is found in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
