...and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood...(Revelation 1:5).
The Greek word for forgiveness is aphiemi. Would it surprise you to know that in 1 Corinthians 7:11-13, the word is translated "divorce"? In that context, Paul is telling husbands not to send or put (divorce) their wives away.
But that is exactly what God did with your sins. He sent them away.
That is the primary meaning of forgiveness. The Complete Word Study Dictionary defines forgiveness as "to send forth or away, to let go from oneself."
You were connected to your sins, married to them if you will. All that changed, however.
In one instant, Jesus "divorced" you from your sins and put them away. As a result, you are no longer tied to sin, or are under it's control.
Jesus' death freed you from sin once and for all.
In forgiving you, God sent your sins away. Where are they? According to the Word of God, "As far as the east is from the west" - an infinite distance away.
Make a decision to accept the truth - your sins have been divorced from you. God removed them. He sent them away. He remembers them no more. This is forgiveness. This is grace.
In Him,
Bob Christopher