How Does God Forgive Sin?

Forgiveness of sin is the heart of the gospel. In the Old Testament, forgiveness was pictured through animal sacrifices — blood shed to cover sin (Leviticus 4). But these sacrifices could never permanently remove sin (Hebrews 10:4). They pointed forward to Christ, 'the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). When Jesus died on the cross, He made full atonement for sin once for all (Hebrews 10:10). God's forgiveness is comprehensive: 'as far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us' (Psalm 103:12). Micah 7:19 says God will 'cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.' Isaiah 43:25 records God saying, 'I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.' Forgiveness is received by repentance and faith: 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9). No sin is too great for God's forgiving grace.