Are you having trouble accepting God's forgiveness?

What does it mean to be forgiven? Is it permanent? Can the big sins be forgotten that easily? And if so, why do I still feel guilty?

In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were made as an atonement for sin. The shedding of blood was required on a regular basis. Once a year the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place to offer sacrifices for himself and others. Only the high priest was allowed to enter. No one else was even allowed to see it, much less enter it. There was a curtain that separated The Holy Place, where the other priests performed their duties, and The Most Holy Place. And did you notice I said once a year? At that time, no one but the high priest could approach God! Yes, God made appearances to His prophets, but a regular person like you and me had to come to the high priest to communicate with God.

Whether you are a long-time Christian who has experienced God or a new Christian that isn't sure what the even means, the thought of not being able to approach God probably seems unfathomable! I know it does for me.

Each time a sacrifice was made, they were reminded of their sin, because animal blood wasn't good enough to erase sin permanently. Is that how you feel? Like your sin was/is so bad it can't possibly be forgiven or forgotten?

The blood of Jesus Christ IS enough to cover our sins FOREVER!

Take a look at these verses:

Psalm 86:5 (NLT)

5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

Psalm 32:5 (NLT)

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Isaiah 1:18 (NLT)

18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow…

Daniel 9:9 (NLT)

9 But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.

Psalm 66:18 (NLT)

18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Colossians 2:13–14 (NLT)

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

Ephesians 1:7 (NLT)

7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins…

Isaiah 43:25 (NLT)

25 “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.

Psalm 103:12 (NLT)

12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

Psalm 130:3–4 (NLT)

3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? 4 But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

Isaiah 44:22 (NLT)

22 I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”

Micah 7:18–19 (NLT)

18 Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. 19 Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

1 John 1:9 (NLT)

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Luke 23:33–34 (NLT)

33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing”…

Psalm 51:7 (NLT)

7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Here is my favorite, Hebrews 10:17 Then He says, "I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds." How awesome is that?? He doesn't just forgive, He forgets! Obviously, God doesn't have a human brain that forgets things. He chooses to never think about it again! And no sin is too big for God to forget. So, why "remind" Him over and over by thinking about it. Don't keep asking for forgiveness for sins that are forgiven, no matter how big that are. Unless, of course, you keep doing that sin! We shouldn't take His grace for granted.

Please understand that I'm not referring to situations like addiction. Yes, the addiction needs to stop, but if you are struggling, please seek a professional. There are some good Christian counselors out there!

But, don't forget, we must also forgive others!

Check out these verses:

Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Matthew 6:14–15 (NLT)

14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 18:32–35 (NLT)

32 Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. 35 “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”

Acts 7:59–60 (NLT)

59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Matthew 18:21–22 (NLT)

21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

Matthew 5:23–24 (NLT)

23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Luke 17:3–4 (NLT)

3 So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

If you're having a hard time forgiving yourself or others, grab your Bible and check out the verses mentioned above, along with the ones around them for a better understanding. If you have a study Bible, take a look at the notes for each verse too.

Remember, God loves you and Jesus willingly sacrificed himself for YOU! When you're tempted to question your salvation, think about Jesus on that cross. He didn't do that for nothing!

Here is a prayer for you to pray :

"Lord God, I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging my sins and failings. I ask for Your forgiveness for the wrong I have done, both to You and to others. I desire to be cleansed of my guilt and to have a renewed spirit. Help me to turn away from sin and to walk in the path of righteousness. Grant me the strength to resist temptation and to grow in holiness. May Your grace and mercy guide my steps and help me to remember that Your forgiveness is forever. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen." 

I pray that this has helped you. If it has, please consider scrolling down to rate and leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts!