How to get forgiven ∙∙∙
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
Colossians 2:13-14
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
14 by canceling the certificate of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
An Extraordinary Act of Generosity
In May 2019, at Morehouse College’s commencement ceremony, billionaire investor and philanthropist Robert F. Smith shocked the graduating class with an announcement that would change their lives. He pledged to pay off the student loan debt of all 400 or so 2019 graduates, a staggering $40 million.
This act of generosity was extraordinary: total debt forgiveness. Imagine the relief and joy of those students! You might even think, “How I wish I were part of that graduating class!”
But if you are a child of the King, you belong to an even more special group, the Father’s Forever Family. The Father, infinitely wealthier than any billionaire, has established a grant to eliminate the sin debt of every one of His children. This forgiveness came at an enormous cost, but His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, willingly paid it in full. Now, forgiveness is available to all.
The Cost of Forgiveness
In 33 AD, Jesus Christ died on the cross, paying the price for every sin we would ever commit. Though our sins were still in the future, Christ paid for all of our sins before we were ever born. He paid for them once and for all.
He gathered them together into one comprehensive list of all people, for all time. The apostle Paul refers to this as a “certificate of debt.”
Paul explained in Colossians 2:13-14: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the certificate of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
The Greek word translated as “certificate of debt” is cheirographon, meaning “a handwritten record of indebtedness.” It represents the charges against us for breaking God’s law. Each of us has our own list of sins, but Jesus took every list and nailed them all to the cross. When He died, He declared tetelestai, in Greek, that is, “It is finished” (John 19:30), meaning “Paid in full.” The Father’s eternal gift represents the ultimate act of love: the complete forgiveness of our sins.
Psalms 32:1 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven; whose sin is covered!
REFLECT & PRAY
This forgiveness is not temporary or partial; it is complete and eternal. The Father deposited all the forgiveness we would ever need into our personal “forgiveness accounts.”
Father, how remarkable it is that all of our sins have been paid for. Thank You for forgiving us and for the ongoing forgiveness we receive as we recognize our sins and accept Your cleansing. What a magnificent plan!
INSIGHT
The Burden of Debt
Forgiveness can be compared to the process of acquiring a home or vehicle through installments. Initially, you make a substantial down payment, followed by consistent monthly payments until the debt is fully paid.
Do you remember the joy and freedom you felt when you paid off your first loan? That was merely financial freedom. Now, consider the crushing weight of sin-debt. Is it possible to repay or escape the chains of sin on your own? The answer is No! The debt is overwhelming, time is insufficient, and the burden only grows heavier.
The Father’s Solution: Debt Paid in Full
The Father, in His great love, knew that humanity could never repay the debt of sin. So, He paid it Himself. Any attempt to settle this debt on our own would only lead to frustration, disappointment, and failure.
As Charles Stanley reminds us, “There is nothing you can do to make God love you more! There is nothing you can do to make God love you less!”
When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, it was as though the Father made a down payment on our behalf. But what He offered was far more than a down payment; it was a one-time, all-encompassing gift. He deposited all the forgiveness we would ever need into our personal forgiveness accounts.
At the Moment of Salvation: A Substantial Withdrawal
The moment we accepted Christ, we were completely forgiven for all the sins we had committed up to that point. Many of us can recall the immense relief and joy that came with the lifting of that burden.
However, as we’re all aware, life goes on, and we keep right on sinning. At times, we may feel utterly detached and separated from the Father. Sometimes, situations, disappointments, tragedy, anger, or rage overwhelm us. What happens then? All our sins have already been paid for. No additional payment is necessary. The Lord Jesus Christ will not die again. He does not have to.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Christ’s one-time sacrifice covers all our sins, as stated in Hebrews 10:12, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.”
The truth is, all the forgiveness we’ll ever need is already ours. We don’t need to obtain more forgiveness; we simply need to embrace the forgiveness we already possess. We merely make withdrawals as needed.
The Boundless Well of Mercy
This is where the Father’s substantial endowment comes into play. There is sufficient forgiveness to cover every sin we could ever commit.
As stated in Lamentations 3:22-23: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
The well of mercy is inexhaustible. Morning by morning, new mercies are available. It is impossible to deplete God’s forgiveness.
Making Withdrawals: The Act of Confession
How do we make withdrawals from our fully funded forgiveness account? We tap into our forgiveness through confession.
Confession is the act of acknowledging our sins before God. When we confess, the Father applies the forgiveness that is already ours. In that moment, we are cleansed and restored. We experience deep fellowship with God once more. Confession is not about earning forgiveness; it’s about restoring fellowship with God.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Embrace the wonderful freedom of knowing that our sin debt has been fully paid. When we confess our sins, we experience the joy of restored fellowship with the Father and the peace that comes from His endless grace.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯11-10-3
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 