1. Home
 ›
2. Christian Articles
 ›
3. Finding Forgiveness and Freedom

"Finding Forgiveness
 Freedom from Remorse"

A recent visitor commented: "I know that to be forgiven, we must come to God with a humble and sorrowful heart. But my problem is that I cannot sense when I am sorrowful enough to receive forgiveness from God."

That message obviously comes from a humble and contrite heart, and that is a marvelous Christian trait!

However, if it were to be as suggested, that our sins can be forgiven based only upon how remorseful we are, then perhaps we should ask:

How much sorrow and regret does God require before extending forgiveness?! What is this unidentified level?

When Christians sin and then come to terms with what they have done they usually do so with a sense of guilt.

Sorrow and Remorse

I certainly believe that sorrow and remorse for sin should prompt Christians to seek forgiveness. But I am not aware of scripture that designates a level of (pain and guilt) that must be experienced before mercy is extended.

If we go by feelings to decide when our sins are forgiven, how do we know when we reach an acceptable level of true repentance and spiritual sorrow?

Christians doing bodily harm to themselves, causing pain to their bodies and emotions is abhorrent to God. So how far are we to carry our remorse?

Punishing our soul through self-induced guilt and torment to receive forgiveness is a waste of time, and even sinful. Punishing ourselves is not the way we receive forgiveness.

Receiving God's forgiveness does not depend on how much emotional pain we can cause ourselves to feel.

Because emotion will not bring forgiveness and peace; that will come from our request to God for forgiveness, rested upon our faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

Receiving God's Forgiveness

Guidelines From Scripture

You Must be Born Again:

• "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So, it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:7-8)

Jesus Our Advocate:

• "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1-2)

Repent:

• Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, (Acts 3:19)

Confess:

•  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Forgive Others:

• "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." (Mark 11:25)
  

Ask God for forgiveness:

"God knows all about your sins, and yet loves you immeasurably." He dotes on you, and according to Psalm 139, He knows your thoughts and the next words before they are spoken.

According to Jesus, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and all your needs even before you ask, Luke 12:7), (Matt 6:8).

He knows all your strengths and weaknesses and will not expect more than you can deliver; He will be with you and never place more on you than you can bear. (2 Cor 12:9)

God loves Sinners more than He hates their sins. He also knows that regardless of how hard they try, they will still sin.

Jesus endured all the temptations to sin, yet is the only one who ever lived a sinless life.

• "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Heb 4:15, NKJV)

God, knowing that mankind could not be sinless, loves us so that He sent Jesus, the "Lamb of God," to die in our place.

• "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16, NKJV)

• "For I will be merciful and gracious toward their wickedness, And I will remember their sins no more." 
  (Heb 8:12, AMP)

Christians may have rightfully suffered guilt and remorse for their sins, but to do so after receiving forgiveness is not helpful.

Confidence in receiving forgiveness comes by faith and trust in Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross.

• "As far as the east is from the west,
  So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
  Just as a father loves his children,
  So, the Lord loves those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence].
  For He knows our [mortal] frame;
  He remembers that we are [merely] dust." 
  (Psalm 103:13-14, AMP)
  

Samuel Mills

Christian Articles

Trusting in Jesus Home Page

Finding Forgiveness

"Lets Teach Our Children to Love"

Why is it so difficult for our educators and society, in general, to understand that love and respect for one another taught from a young age can solve much of the world's hostility and social problems!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6).

Love is the answer!

Loyalty and Faithfulness

True loyalty springs from the heart and is wrapped in love. It is often in our most private moments that true loyalty, or the lack of it, is made known.