I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name. 1 John 2:12
Forgiveness can be transactional, like cancelling a debt, but there is a richer flavor to it than that. Aphiemi, often translated forgive, means to let go or release. It suggests the idea of not holding on to something or setting it free. These ideas together demonstrate for us the forgiveness offered by God.
When God forgives us, He lets our sin go. He releases it. When we forgive, we also are releasing someone from a debt or obligation. We need to let it go. This goes beyond forgetting, but is actively sending it away out of reach. It is setting them free.
I’m so grateful for all that God has forgiven me. He has the authority and is able to let it go because He also bore the cost of it. It is His to do as He wills. If God releases our sin, we must be careful not to try and hang on to it. We beat ourselves up, live in guilt and shame, but He has sent it away. We need to let it go. And we can offer that same freedom to others, in the name of Christ.
Are there things you need to release? Things that may cost you to let go? Free someone else. Free yourself. Give thanks to God.
