Receiving Forgiveness

God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. - Psalms 51:10-12 HCSB

A king enjoyed playing chess with one of his officers. Now the king was very good and nearly always won which frustrated the officer to no end. One day, while the king was distracted, the officer cheated by removing one of the king’s knights. Sure enough, the officer managed to win shortly thereafter. However, his sin beset his conscience unmercifully.

Only a few days later, the king was able to capture two thieves who had been trying to steal his treasure. As soon as he had locked the thieves up, the king convened his counsel (including the cheating officer) and asked, “Gentlemen, what should I do with a person who has stolen from me? What punishment befits the crime of stealing from the king?”

The officer, completely wracked by his guilt, immediately assumed that the king was talking about him and blurted out, “My king! I am truly sorry for stealing your knight. I repent of my sin and beg you to please forgive me!”

The king was pleased to see that his officer’s conscience was so sensitive and readily forgave him.

Asking for and receiving forgiveness is probably one of the most satisfying actions in our spiritual lives. However, if we are in need of forgiveness, we should first acknowledge sin[1] and actually ask forgiveness for our sin.[2] Then, if at all possible, we should seek to make restitution for our sins.[3] Jesus did not respond with a confirmation of salvation until Zacchaeus humbly demonstrated a willingness to make restitution for his sins. The Prodigal did not receive forgiveness until he was willing to set aside his rights as a son and simply work for his father as a hired hand.

Once we do this, we must believe that God will indeed forgive us and quit feeling guilty. To hold on to our guilt is, in a twisted way, to maintain our pride. We are demonstrating our lack of faith in the One who has extended forgiveness.[4]

Through forgiveness, Christ provides complete deliverance from the penalty of sin.[5] The wage of sin is death. We are delivered from spiritual death and from the spiritual consequences of our sin.

That is not to say that there will not be any consequences. David publicly confessed his sin, demonstrated contrition and offered to make restitution. The prophet Nathan, speaking for God, actually told him he was forgiven. Nevertheless, the child of his sin died as a direct consequence of his sin.[6]

Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery.[7] However, she still had to deal with her betrayed husband and with the whispers that would continue for years. As wonderful as forgiveness is, it is far better to not sin in the first place.


[1] Psalm 51:2-4
[2] Psalm 51:7-12
[3] Luke 19:8-10; Luke 15:17-24
[4] Psalm 32:1-6
[5] Colossians 2:13-14
[6] 2 Samuel 12:12-14
[7] John 8:11