Have you ever carried a weight of guilt so heavy that it felt like you sometimes couldn’t sleep well or even function to your full capacity? Maybe it was guilt from something you did or failed to do in the past, a mistake that haunted you, or shame that you just could not shake off so easily. Sin has a way of doing that—it burdens us, holds us back and keeps us from truly experiencing peace, joy and freedom. Referring to sin, the Apostle Paul said “for everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” But the good news is that through Jesus Christ, our sins can be forgiven, and that changes our lives.

A Personal Story of Forgiveness

I remember a time in my childhood when I felt completely trapped in the guilt of my past mistakes and poor choices that hurt others and left me feeling like I could never be truly loved by God. The guilt was overwhelming, and I kept telling myself that I’m not good enough for God to love me. I tried going to church every Sunday, I repeated written prayers and made effort to do everything in my understanding and in my power to win God’s favour but nothing lifted the burden of guilt off of my shoulders! As the feeling worsened, one night I had a strange dream in which I met “Jesus” and I asked him if he could wait for me finish another duty that was assigned to me by my parents. In response, the man said ‘follow me now’, and he suddenly left. Consequently, I concluded that God wanted nothing to do with me and I decided to take my life as a way of alleviating the painful feelings. In fact I tried, but the plan was thwarted three times. However, I met a young woman who carefully listened to my grief. Instead of condemning me, she invited me to her church. I vividly remember the pastor in his sermon quoting,

Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.”,

And Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Those verses hit me hard. I realized that I had been holding onto guilt that God had already forgiven. When I finally let go and accepted His grace, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off. I was not just forgiven—I was free. I instantly had a sense of overwhelming peace and joy.

The Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel. From the beginning, sin has separated humanity from God. Paul reminds us in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No one is perfect, and we all have things in our past that we regret. But God, in His love, provided a way for us to be free from the weight of sin—through Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment that we deserved. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” That means no matter what we have done, if we come to Him with a sincere heart, He wipes the slate clean and declares us “justified.” It is not about earning forgiveness; it is about receiving it as a gift, the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). St. Augustine writes that, “humanity is universally affected as a consequence of the fall.” He also underscores that “humanity is
justified as an act of grace.”

How Forgiveness Transforms Us

When we accept God’s forgiveness, it changes us from the inside out. Here’s how:

1. We Experience The True Peace of God – Sin says you are not worthy, and it creates a barrier between us and God, but forgiveness creates a bridge and removes that separation. Philippians 4:7 speaks of “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.” When we know we are forgiven, we no longer have to live in guilt, fear, grief and shame.

2. We Live With Purpose –I love the fact that, instead of being defined by my past, I’m given a new identity in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” When we embrace this truth, we can step into the life God has planned for us.

3. We Grow Spiritually – McNeal talks about how great leaders must have a deep relationship with God. Part of this growth comes from understanding and accepting God’s grace. When we truly grasp His forgiveness, we become more humble, grateful, and committed to following Him.

4. We Can Forgive Others –Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:14, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” When I read the above passage, I was convinced that since I have received God’s grace, I should forgive others and it became easier for me to extend grace to others. Holding onto grudges only weighs us down, but forgiveness sets us free.

Living in the Reality of Forgiveness

Friends, it feels much better when we forgive. If you have ever struggled with guilt or shame, know this: God’s forgiveness is real, and it is available to you right now. You don’t have to carry the burden of your past any longer. Jesus has already taken it upon Himself (Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 11:28). Take a moment to reflect on this truth and ask yourself these questions: Have you accepted His
forgiveness fully? Are you still holding onto shame that God has already erased? It is time to let go and walk in the freedom He offers.

When we truly grasp what it means to have our sins forgiven, it transforms our lives and our behaviours, changes our relationships and, more importantly, it impacts our worship. We move from a place of defeat to victory, from shame to joy, from brokenness to healing. And that, my friend, is the greatest gift we could ever receive.

Final Encouragement: Embracing the Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not just about erasing our past; it is about unlocking our future in Christ. When we truly accept God’s grace in Jesus Christ, we no longer have to live under the weight of guilt. Instead, we walk in the freedom and joy of His love. McNeal underscores the impact of understanding the power of grace in our own lives and extending it to others. This applies to all of us—when we receive God’s forgiveness, we become instruments of His grace to the world. If you have been struggling to accept God’s forgiveness, I invite you to pray: “Lord, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Thank You for Your mercy through Jesus Christ. Help me to live in the freedom of your grace and extend it to others. Amen.” Take a moment today to reflect: Are you living in the fullness of God’s forgiveness? How can you extend that grace to others?