Does God Forgive Sins?

When millions of Christians around the world recite the Apostles Creed they boldly state that they believe in the forgiveness of sins. This declaration stems from the core belief that Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross was sufficient penalty to atone for the sins of individuals.

Sin is anything that separates men and women from God and therefore deserves his wrath.  However, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers are offered complete forgiveness.

Forgiveness in this context is not merely a divine overlooking of sin; it is an act of God’s grace. Jesus bore the punishment for our sins satisfying divine justice and bringing us back into right standing before God. As the Apostle Paul writes,

God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.  Colossians 2:13-14

This forgiveness is comprehensive. It covers all sins—past, present, and future. This is a promise that is not contingent upon human effort but solely on the finished work of Christ. This assurance is a source of immense comfort and joy for believers, freeing them from the burden of guilt and enabling them to live in the liberty of God’s grace.

More than that, it compels us as believers to forgive others as we have been forgiven. It’s a call to mirror God’s grace in interpersonal relationships, fostering a community marked by love, compassion, and reconciliation.

So, when we say “I believe in the forgiveness of sins,” we are acknowledging the depth of God’s grace and mercy. If you don’t know this grace and mercy and are carrying the weight of your sins that have cut you off from God, we encourage you to read our post, How Can I Become A Christian?

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.