Our understanding of God's forgiveness is limited. His great love cannot be fathomed by the human mind until we have questions or doubts that arise. Although we may have many questions, remember and believe that we have been forgiven through "the blood of the covenant which was shed for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:28). Here are some common questions:
If we think that we do not deserve God's forgiveness, there is still hope. God wants us to know that He can forgive all the things that haunt us. The Bible says that God forgives those who are truly sorry for the life they have led.
He does not automatically forgive, nor is He obligated to forgive.
Jesus himself suffered to forgive us, even though we do not deserve to receive forgiveness. In His love, God found a way to punish our sins (which we deserve), but He still gives forgiveness to even the most evil of us.
Jesus did not come to earth to “judge the world, but to save it.” Whoever believes in the Son is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned because he does not believe in the only Son of God" (John 3:17-18).
Many of us still struggle with feelings of guilt and shame. There are times when we are haunted by old wounds, foolish choices and embarrassing situations. Suddenly we will feel useless and terrible, as if we have lost hope.
Even after asking for forgiveness from God and accepting Jesus as our Saviour, we still feel as if we are not forgiven. We may feel that God has rejected us because of our outrageous actions. But this is not true. Forgiveness is something God does, and He has already done it. It does not depend on our feelings. All we can do is accept that forgiveness and truly believe. Remember "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our sins" (Psalm 103:12).
God also promises that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Being forgiven by God does not mean that we will not face the consequences of our actions. But no matter what hardships we have to go through or face, we can do it with hope. He also promises to correct our mistakes and use them for something good, when we put our trust in Him (Romans 8:28).Therefore, we do not have to face the pain and difficulties of life alone. And for sure, there will be no punishment for the bad things we have done. Christ has borne it all for us.
A) Reducing guilt: We forgive not to reduce the guilt of the perpetrator. Their mistakes are still the same. When we minimise someone's mistakes by saying "it's not a big deal," "it's just his nature, he didn't mean it," "I/you are quick to take offense," we will stifle their growth and awareness of their mistakes.
B) Forgive and forget: Forgiving does not mean forgetting. God does not teach us to forget, but rather not to hold sins against one another. With God's help, we are able to forgive with love the mistakes of others that are still fresh in our memories.
C) Forgive for your own good: This approach to forgiveness comes from the “first, love yourself” mantra, with the idea that forgiving others will benefit us because we need to be good to ourselves, and free ourselves from being victims of other people's emotions. This does free us from bitterness and resentment but it can undermine the Bible's teachings on love and forgiveness. The danger is that it can turn forgiveness from an expression of love to selfishness and self-preservation. When we forgive, we also need to ask, "What does God's love require?" That is, to love God and love those who have hurt us.