The Healing of Forgiveness

Most people want to improve their health. So, they try a new exercise program, or they go on (another!) diet, or they incorporate breathing techniques into their life. But they might forget about one of the most ancient ways to improve health: forgiveness.

According to John Hopkins, “Studies have found that the act of forgiveness can reap huge rewards for your health, lowering the risk of heart attack; improving cholesterol levels and sleep; and reducing pain, blood pressure, and levels of anxiety, depression and stress.”

But more than physical well-being, forgiveness offers the greatest healing anyone could ask for, a healed relationship with God. Everyone needs forgiveness because everyone has sinned. 1 John 1:8 slaps us out of slumber by reminding us that: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

At this point we make a grave mistake. We try to earn God’s forgiveness. We think, “If I turn over a new leaf, if I make amends, if I really try hard, then God will forgive me!” Wrong. We cannot achieve God’s forgiveness; we can only receive God’s forgiveness.

Our good works will not clean up our polluted actions and attitudes. Only Jesus’s blood can clean us from the pollution of sin. 1 John 1:7 testifies that: the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

If forgiveness isn’t achieved, but received, then how do we receive God’s forgiveness? 1 John 1:9 holds out the lifeline to us: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. John emphasizes that Jesus’s blood conquers ALL sin and ALL unrighteousness! No sin can withstand the blood of Jesus Christ.