What does it mean to be forgiven?

When I first believed in Jesus, it was because I believed in Him for the forgiveness of my sins.

But after that, I spent a large portion of my Christian life worrying about my sins after salvation.

I was on a constant hamster-wheel of trying hard, confession, repentance – with no peace or assurance.

I had no idea that forgiveness meant this:

Colossians 2:13-14 “You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us. He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.”

Before I came to faith, I was dead in sin.

No matter what I did, sin was imputed by the law on my conscience.

But the day I believed in Jesus, I was made alive, forgiven all sin.

No matter what I do, sin is not imputed to me anymore.

This is the meaning of being forgiven:

• Sin shall no longer be accounted to us.
• It’s because Jesus died for our sins under the law and rose from the dead to bring grace.
• The believer died with Jesus to the law and is now alive under grace.
• Righteousness has been gifted to us.
• We are not under law but under grace.

Since the believer is not under law thanks to Jesus, sin cannot be accounted to us anymore.

This is why the believer in Jesus, is forgiven.