I’ve often heard, explicitly or implicitly, that we might be able to understand and know we are forgiven by God for certain things but still feel like the memory stains how we see ourselves and—we worry—how others see us. That worry then makes us come to doubt all we’ve ever learned about God’s love for us. 

“It is finished,” Jesus declared as He breathed His last breath on the cross, as recorded in John 19:30. With these words, His sacrifice was complete. All sin was atoned for and the relationship between God and humanity restored. There is a weight to these words and this moment, though, that we struggle to fully live into on this side of heaven.

“Forgiveness” is a commonly used and misunderstood word. Many confuse forgiveness with (reluctant) reconciliation, condoning the transgression, or even the simple passage of time until we forget or stop caring. However, forgiveness is more intentional and restorative than moving past or justifying hurt.