Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. – Isaiah 1:18
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
As a long-time Christian, I can sometimes take for granted the miracle of God’s forgiveness.
Every day, I sin. But when I admit my sin and ask for God’s forgiveness and help in that area of my life, he forgives me.
He bears no grudges. He never withholds his love. He just washes my sin away, like the filth that it is.
I recently read Charles Spurgeon’s view on the subject. He focused on the Hebrew word with the connotation of “taken away” or “taken off.”
Imagine Jesus on the cross, removing the burden of mankind’s sin and transferring it to his shoulders, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Our sinless Savior was made to be sin by the Father. In a sense, Jesus became a liar, thief, murderer, prostitute, pedophile, and more. As he hung on the cross, he bore mankind’s burden of evil, and became all that is degenerate about us – so that we might have the opportunity to have communion with the Father.
Did you know that after Christ died, Scripture says that the veil in the temple, which separated the Holy of Holies (where God dwelt on earth) from the rest of the temple (where man dwelt), tore in two? (See Matthew 27:50-51). Christ’s sin-bearing sacrifice opened the way for us to have a direct relationship with God.
I recall the moment I recognized this truth for myself, at age eleven. All that I had been taught about salvation suddenly became real to me, and I took it to heart for myself.
I cried out to God, thanking him for sending Jesus to die for me and take away my sins.
And he did! I’ll never forget the lightness of being I experienced in that moment. Even at that young age, I felt such intense relief and joy. I’ll never forget it!
But I do need to bring it to mind more often.
I never want to take for granted the terrible, wonderful work of Christ on the cross. I never want to take lightly his promise of forgiveness.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. – Psalm 103:12
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. – Ephesians 1:7
Do you recall the moment you recognized Christ’s love for you? Do you have any questions concerning God’s forgiveness? I welcome your comments.
My Way Home 
Can’t say exactly when it was, but there was a moment in which I personalized the whole matter: Jesus endured the cross, enduring more pain than we can imagine, because of me, and for me. Because and for all of us. And, incredibly, He continues to forgive, over and over again. To take it all for granted is to trivialize His Passion; while we all fail at times, we must guard against doing so. Well done, as usual — Mike
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Thank you, Mike. “Trivialize” is just the right word: just because the event of Christ’s death and the offer of his forgiveness are so familiar does not mean we should ever trivialize them.
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Christ’s suffering is something I have been thinking more about recently, because of explaining the rudiments of Christianity to someone. I appreciate so much what Jesus did for me!
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I didn’t even really discuss his separation from the Father during the Crucifixion. I always imagined that that was the absolute worst part of Christ’s suffering.
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I agree. Anyone who doubts Jesus’ humanity need only look to that moment: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
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I agree.
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Indeed, Meredith, it’s so easy to forget what it cost Him. As Paul says, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings…”
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