One of the great things about God is that He promises to forgive us when we ask. Sometimes, though, we might wonder, "How do I really know if God has forgiven me?" Here are some ways the Bible teaches us that we can be sure:
1. God’s Promise of Forgiveness
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
God promises to forgive us every time we ask with a sincere heart. When she confesses her sins and repents, God forgives her completely. She doesn’t need to worry that God will hold her sins against her. His forgiveness is guaranteed because He is faithful.
Let me give you an Illustration: Imagine you’re playing a game and make a mistake. You feel stuck, like you can’t go forward. But when you hit the “reset” button, everything is restored, and you get a fresh start. That’s what God’s forgiveness is like—a complete reset, giving you a fresh start.
2. Feeling Peace Instead of Guilt
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
When we repent, God removes the heavy burden of guilt and replaces it with peace. Guilt and shame can weigh us down, but when God forgives, that weight is lifted. We can trust that He no longer holds our past against us.
How Do You Know? After praying for forgiveness, if you feel peace in your heart, that’s a sign that God has taken away your guilt and forgiven you.
3. Jesus Paid for Your Sins
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid for all of your sins—past, present, and future. When you ask for forgiveness, you can trust that Jesus’ death already covered your mistakes. You don’t have to earn God’s forgiveness; it’s a gift freely given through Jesus.
How Do You Know? You can rest assured that Jesus already paid for your sin. There’s no need to worry whether God will forgive you—it’s already been done!
4. Moving Forward, Not Being Stuck in the Past
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
When God forgives you, He removes your sins completely, and you don’t need to carry the guilt or shame anymore. God forgets your sins, and you should, too. His forgiveness allows you to move forward without being weighed down by past mistakes.
How Do You Know? If you find yourself ready to move on, letting go of your past mistakes, that’s a clear sign that God has forgiven you and is helping you start fresh.
5. Have You Forgiven Those Who Have Hurt You
“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15).
Jesus taught that our willingness to forgive others is closely connected to how we experience God’s forgiveness. If we hold on to bitterness and refuse to forgive those who have wronged us, we create a barrier in our relationship with God. However, when we freely forgive, we open the way for God to fully extend His forgiveness to us.
Let me give you an Illustration: Think of a clogged drain. Unforgiveness is like the blockage that prevents the flow of water. When we forgive, it’s like removing that blockage, allowing God’s forgiveness to flow freely into our lives.
How Do You Know? Forgiveness is evident when you no longer feel resentment or seek revenge, but instead feel peace and desire the well-being of the person who hurt you. Although it doesn’t mean that what they did was right, you choose to let it go and place it in the hands of your vindicator, God. You can remember what happened without pain or anger, and you have released the need to settle the score.
6. Feeling Closer to God
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
Sin can make us feel distant from God, but forgiveness restores that closeness. When you repent, you can experience the joy of being close to God again. His forgiveness is about restoring your relationship with Him so that you can walk closely with Him each day.
How Do You Know? If after confessing your sins, you feel a renewed closeness to God, that’s a sign that His forgiveness has restored your relationship with Him.
The danger of willfully continuing in sin:
You are the God who warns against continuing in deliberate sin after knowing the truth (Hebrews 10:26).
You are the righteous Judge who holds accountable those who trample on the sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:29).
You are the One who calls me to live in reverence and respect for Your grace,
not taking it for granted (Hebrews 10:28-29).
The Bible teaches about the seriousness of ongoing sin and the importance of wisdom and obedience. The following verses emphasize not only God’s grace but also our responsibility to take sin seriously and to grow in wisdom through learning and repentance.
1. Hebrews 10:26-29 – The Danger of Willfully Continuing in Sin
This passage warns about deliberately continuing in sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth. It reminds us that while God is forgiving, we should not take His grace for granted by continuing to sin without repentance. The consequence of persistent, unrepentant sin is serious.
“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment..." (Hebrews 10:26-27).
It’s important to explain that while God forgives us when we repent, we shouldn’t think it’s okay to keep sinning without caring. We need to take our faith seriously and work to avoid repeating the same sins. God’s grace is not a free pass to keep doing wrong.
2. Proverbs 1:7 – The Fear of the Lord and True Wisdom
This passage teaches that the fear of the LORD—reverence and awe for God—is the foundation of all true wisdom and knowledge. Without this attitude of respect for God, we are prone to make foolish decisions that lead to sinful behaviors.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7, ESV)
It’s essential to develop a healthy fear of God, which involves reverence and respect for Him. This attitude forms the basis of true wisdom and leads us to make decisions that honor God and reject sinful behaviors. Without this fear of God, we risk ignoring His wisdom and instruction, which the Bible warns will lead to destructive consequences.
3. Proverbs 1:5 – The Importance of Gaining Wisdom
This verse emphasizes the need to be teachable and open to growing in wisdom. It encourages us to actively seek guidance and apply it to our lives, especially when facing struggles with sin. Spiritual growth involves learning from our mistakes and applying God’s wisdom for better decision-making.
"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance." (Proverbs 1:5, NIV)
Seeking wisdom goes beyond just repenting for past sins; it involves learning from those mistakes and asking God for the guidance to make better choices moving forward. True repentance includes a desire to grow and improve, allowing God’s wisdom to shape our future decisions.
Trust in God’s forgiveness and grace
(With Wisdom, Responsibility, and Reverence for Him)
When you struggle with sin and are afraid you might fail again, remember that God’s grace is always there. He promises to forgive you every time you ask with a sincere heart. However, the Bible also teaches that we must approach sin with reverence and fear of the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." This means that reverence for God is essential in understanding the seriousness of sin and seeking to live in a way that honors Him.
Hebrews 10:26-29 warns about the danger of willfully continuing in sin after knowing the truth. God’s grace is not something to take lightly or abuse by deliberately choosing to sin, thinking you can always ask for forgiveness later. When you truly fear the Lord and respect His holiness, you will want to avoid falling into repeated sin and live in a way that reflects His righteousness.
That’s why it’s important to ask God not just for forgiveness, but also for wisdom and strength to change. Proverbs 1:5 says that wise people learn from their mistakes and continue to grow. When you repent, you should also be praying, “God, help me make better choices next time.” This demonstrates both your respect for God’s grace and your desire to honor Him with your actions.
So, while God forgives you and gives you a fresh start, it’s also essential to approach Him with reverence and fear of the Lord, learn from your mistakes, and take sin seriously. Ask God for the wisdom and strength to avoid repeating those mistakes. This way, you not only experience His grace but also grow closer to Him in wisdom, holiness, and deep respect for who He is.
Make this Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Abba, Papa, You are the forgiving God, rich in mercy and compassion. I come to You, acknowledging and praising You as the One who forgives and forgets. Thank You that though my sins were as scarlet, You wash them white as snow (Isaiah 1:18–19). In Your infinite mercy, You are the God of total forgiveness, meeting me with grace even in my shortcomings. You lift every burden from my heart and cast my sins into the depths of the sea, never to be remembered again (Micah 7:18; Micah 7:19). You cleanse me, erase my sins forever, and give me a new beginning by Your boundless love and compassion (Isaiah 43:25).
Thank You, Lord, that You forgave all my sins, not because of anything I have done, but because of Your mercy alone. I am humbled by this gift of grace (Romans 3:23; Colossians 2:13; Ephesians 1:7). I confess my sins to You, trusting that You are faithful and just to forgive and purify me from all unrighteousness, cleansing me completely (1 John 1:9; Hebrews 8:12). You remind me to forgive others as You have forgiven me; may I release any unforgiveness within my heart so that I may honor You fully and reflect Your mercy in all my relationships (Matthew 6:15; Luke 6:36).
Lord, help me not take Your grace lightly. I know that willful sin after knowing Your truth is a serious matter, and I pray to walk in reverence and awe of You. Teach me to recognize the weight of Your mercy and live accordingly, as it is a fearful thing to fall into Your hands when grace has been rejected (Hebrews 10:26-29). I desire a heart that reveres Your wisdom and truth, recognizing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).
I ask, Lord, for a heart that seeks understanding, is open to instruction, and desires to grow daily in Your truth. May I listen, learn, and become wise, embodying Your forgiveness and compassion to others (Proverbs 1:5). Thank You, Lord, for Your wisdom and strength that guide me, for the forgiveness that renews my soul, and for Your constant presence that leads me on the path of righteousness.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Embracing a Deeper Journey … with the Almighty I AM
Yolandita Colón