Forgiveness Already Happened

Yesterday we talked about how the Bible changes when you read it looking for Jesus.

Today I want to show you one of the verses that wrecked me when I finally read it with that lens.

Colossians 2:13.

"Having forgiven you ALL trespasses."

Look at that word. ALL.

Past trespasses and future trespasses, every single one.

I know this is where some of you are going to push back.

Because this verse challenges something most believers do every single day without questioning it.

Asking God for forgiveness.

"God, forgive me for what I did today."

"Forgive me for falling again."

Sound familiar?

When I first heard that you didn't have to ask for forgiveness, it felt weird to me.

That was because I didn't really believe or even fathom that God had already given me full, complete forgiveness.

Read the verse again. "Having forgiven."

It's already done.

When you look at the original Greek word for "forgiven" in Colossians 2:13, it's charisamenos. It means to graciously forgive, a completed act given freely.

When did it happen?

At the cross.

When Jesus said "It is finished," your forgiveness was part of what He finished.

How?

The only thing I needed to do was believe that in my heart.

So why do we keep asking?

Because we were taught to. And we almost feel guilty if we don't, but that is foundationally shame and fear.

Most of us grew up believing this cycle.

Sin. Confess. Get forgiven. Repeat.

But this implies that your forgiveness gets revoked and reinstated daily.

Does that sound like the finished work of Christ?

The Bible says in Hebrews 10:17 that He doesn't even remember our sins anymore.

People love to quote 1 John 1 about confession, but the context matters.

John was addressing early Gnostic teaching, not believers who already knew Jesus.

The only thing we have to profess and confess now is that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. That He died for us and saved us from all of our sins.

The one question we need to ask after every time we sin is, "Did the cross cover this or not?"

The answer is yes.

Colossians 2:13 says ALL.

I realized that if I keep asking for forgiveness, I am actually saying that the cross was not enough.

That realization gave me relief in my heart, and I could actually rest.

This verse is saying I cannot be disqualified from God, and that is because of Jesus and His sacrifice at the cross.

This alone made me not want to sin or disobey God. It gave me the heart to not move with fear, but with gratitude instead.

So what do you do when you sin?

You bring it honestly to God, with gratitude instead of guilt. Different Gs.

Instead of "God, please forgive me," try, "God, I see what happened, and I thank You that the cross already covered it. Even though I go against You, You don't count it against me."

That is confession from rest, not fear or guilt.

Here's how to start walking in this freedom today.

1. The next time you sin, pause. Remember Colossians 2:13. All trespasses. Already forgiven. Then bring it honestly to God as a son or daughter.
2. Thank God that everything is already covered. In no way should we abuse grace or do whatever we want. When you thank God, it invokes a heart of gratitude, which then affects your attitude. That will positively affect your spiritual walk. Instead of begging, you start resting.

PRAYER:

Father God, I have been treating Your forgiveness like something I had to keep re-earning. Every time I failed, I came to You like a defendant asking for a retrial. But the trial is over. The verdict was given at the cross. All trespasses. Forgiven. I don't have to beg for what You already gave. Today I bring You my honesty as a son. Thank You that my standing with You was always based on how completely Your Son paid. The forgiveness doesn't run out. I rest in that today. In Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen.