Forgiveness and Confession

Forgiveness and Confession

Forgiveness (remission) is by the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Matt. 26:28), and is to disunite sin from the sinner. There is much difference between human and divine forgiveness; human forgiveness is to remit a penalty. Divine forgiveness is to all who believe in Christ (Acts 10:43); the penalty was paid in our stead by Him on the cross; for without the shedding of blood there is no divine forgiveness (remission) (Heb. 9:22). When a believer sins, his fellowship with the Father and the Son is disrupted; but God forgives us these sins upon confession, and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:6-9); but only through Jesus Christ the righteous as our propitiation (I John 2:1,2). In human forgiveness, believers are called upon to forgive one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven them (Eph. 4:32).