Forgiven and Forgotten

Justified—there is a word we could read right over in the Bible and miss. It is a word that is used often in the New Testament to describe one major aspect of what salvation is all about. The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome,

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1–2)

This teaching of justification by faith is of supreme importance. The entire Protestant Reformation took place as a result of the belief that we are justified by faith, as opposed to being justified by works or religious activity. To be justified means to be forgiven of all our sins. If you have turned from your sins, if you have repented of them, then God has forgiven you. God has released you from the guilt and penalty of every sin you have ever committed, just as if it never had happened.

The Old Testament prophet Micah understood this truth when he wrote, “He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). Think about it. Let it sink in. It’s incredible, but true. God has taken our sin, thrown it into the sea of forgetfulness, and has posted a sign that says, “No fishing allowed.” It is paid for. It is forgiven. It is forgotten. Accept it from God. God does not want us to remember what He is willing to forget.