Acts 13:38 declares, "Therefore, my brothers, I want
you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to
you."
What is forgiveness and why do I need it?
The word "forgive" means to wipe the slate clean,
to pardon, to cancel a debt. When we wrong someone, we seek their forgiveness
in order for the relationship to be restored. Forgiveness is not granted
because a person deserves to be forgiven. No one deserves to be forgiven.
Forgiveness is an act of love, mercy, and grace. Forgiveness is a decision to
not hold something against another person, despite what they have done to you.
The Bible tells us that we are all in need of forgiveness
from God. We have all committed sin. Ecclesiastes 7:20 proclaims, "There
is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins."
First John 1:8says, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us." All sin is ultimately an act of rebellion
against God (Psalm 51:4). As a result, we desperately need God’s forgiveness.
If our sins are not forgiven, we will spend eternity suffering the consequences
of our sins (Matthew 25:46; John 3:36).
