This Scripture refers to what takes place when we are born-again, and one of God’s additional benefits once we are Christians. God forgives all of our sins prior to the new birth, and confessed sins we commit after being born-again.
This is the wonder of the mercy of God, Who releases us of all sins. Every person needs the forgiveness of God, whether one is relatively good, or very evil in nature.
“…even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
(Rom. 3:22-23 NKJ)The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29 NKJ)
Oh how we need to understand this truth! We are sinners, but God has taken care of that problem through sending His Son, Jesus, for us all.
In closing, let us look at a Scripture that is written to Christians who have had all their past sins forgiven when they accepted Jesus as their Savior. “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJ).
Forgive, in this Scripture, is translated from the Greek word “aphiemi.” It has a three-fold meaning: 1) to dismiss, 2) to remit the punishment, 3) where the guilty person is dealt with as if innocent.
This is how God sees His repentant, born-again children.
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