My Friend Can’t Accept Forgiveness

Q. I worry about my friend. If she believes that God forgives her sin (1 John 1:9) but does not receive (believe) His forgiveness because she tells herself she is unworthy, could that cause the despair she feels at times? I know in regards to our salvation, when we believe that we are sinners and realize that we need a savior, we also need to receive Him or we would remain in our sins.  If she prays and asks for forgiveness and does not believe that she has been forgiven is that being double minded, as in James 1:5?

A. Receiving forgiveness is an act of faith based on the belief that all of our sins were paid for at the cross. Our worthiness has nothing to do with it.  Evidence that we’ve received His forgiveness is the removal of any guilt for our past behavior.  That’s not the same as regret, by the way.  We can regret having done something that grieves the Holy Spirit without being weighed down by guilt or shame.  Believing we’ve been forgiven is necessary to remove our guilt.

Forgiveness is free for the asking, just like salvation was. If someone asks for forgiveness, but doesn’t believe they can receive it, then asking is an exercise in futility.  1 John 1:9 says that  if we confess our sins the Lord is just and faithful and will purify us from our unrighteousness. We have to believe that statement is true.  It sounds like someone or something has convinced your friend that she has to earn God’s forgiveness.  She needs to understand that she could never do that.  That’s why Jesus came and earned it for her.  Once for all time, the Bible says.  That means He paid the penalty for every sin of her life, even those she hasn’t committed yet.