Forgiveness ranks as the number one topic of discussion on the Basic Gospel radio broadcast. Here are three things we have learned from all the questions that have been asked about this critical issue:

• The forgiveness of God is greatly misunderstood.
• People like to argue about forgiveness.
• People long to have forgiveness.

You can understand why forgiveness is such a hot topic. All of us sin. This reality raises numerous questions in our minds.

• What do I do when I sin?
• How can I know that God has forgiven my sin?
• If He has forgiven me, why do I keep doing the same sin over and over?

Here is the good news. All of these questions are answered by the three words Jesus uttered from the cross, "It is finished!"

Jesus paid the debt in full. Nothing more needs to be done, or can be done concerning forgiveness of sins.

I wished I had known this truth early in life.

With each sin I committed in those days, I felt I needed to do something to get it forgiven. I prayed. I promised. I studied the Bible. I made deals with God. But nothing changed.

I wanted his forgiveness so badly, but in spite of all my efforts, I never felt forgiven.

The glorious truth is that there was nothing I could do to gain God's forgiveness. Jesus had already done the work. He forgave all of my sins. His shed blood took them away once and for all.

When his finished work finally hit my heart, the weight of guilt lifted from my shoulders. And something even better happened. The love of God broke through to my soul.