What is the relationship between salvation and forgiveness?
The Bible teaches that salvation is made possible through God’s forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness is a key part of the salvation process, as sin separates humanity from God (Isaiah 59:2). When God forgives our sins, the barrier between us is removed and reconciliation with God becomes possible.
Forgiveness Leads to Salvation
In the Bible, forgiveness of sins leads to salvation. When John the Baptist was preaching and baptizing people, he called on them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, he told the crowd “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Receiving the Holy Spirit was tied directly to the forgiveness of sins.
Paul wrote that when we were dead in our sins, God “made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:5). This forgiveness and grace leads to new spiritual life. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul described what Christ has done for believers: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). Forgiveness is linked over and over again to being saved and transferred into God’s kingdom.
Why Does Forgiveness Lead to Salvation?
Forgiveness of sins removes the main problem keeping people from God – their moral debt before Him. Sin is a barrier in the relationship between God and humanity (Isaiah 59:2). People cannot be in right relationship with God if their sins have not been dealt with.
God is perfectly holy and just, and therefore cannot ignore offenses against His law. The Bible says “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Justice demands consequences for breaking God’s moral law. That is why a holy God must punish sin.
However, God loves humanity deeply and desires for all people to be reconciled to Himself (2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, God made a way for the moral debt of sin to be paid through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
When people repent and put their faith in Christ, asking Him for forgiveness, they are forgiven on the basis of Christ’s substitutionary death on their behalf. Jesus took the punishment for their sins, so that through faith in Him, they can be declared righteous before God (Romans 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The forgiveness He offers allows for a restored relationship with God.
Therefore, receiving God’s gift of forgiveness through Christ removes the barrier of sin, allowing for reconciliation with God to take place. That is what the salvation process is all about.
Repentance and Faith Are Necessary
An important clarification about forgiveness leading to salvation is that it requires repentance and faith on the part of the individual. Though Christ died to pay for the sins of the world, the benefits of His sacrifice must be personally appropriated.
The Bible’s command to repent in order to receive forgiveness of sins implies a turning away from sin (Acts 3:19). True repentance involves godly sorrow over sin and a commitment to forsake it and instead obey God (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Additionally, in order to receive God’s gift of forgiveness, one must place their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior (Acts 16:31). The sacrifice of Christ on the cross is sufficient payment for anyone’s sins, but it is only efficient for those who put their trust in Him.
Forgiveness Is Not Automatic
Some people misunderstand the forgiveness Christ offers, thinking it gives them license to sin without consequence. But the Bible warns that unrepentant sinners will face God’s judgment (Romans 2:5-6; Hebrews 10:26-27).
Forgiveness is available to all, but it must be received through repentance and faith in order to take effect in a person’s life. Though Jesus died for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), only those who put their faith in Him are forgiven and granted salvation (John 3:16-18). The offer and potential of forgiveness exists for all because of Christ’s atonement, but personal forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal salvation only come when His gracious gift is welcomed through personal faith.
The Ongoing Need for Forgiveness
Salvation is a past, present, and future reality. The Bible says Christians have been saved (Ephesians 2:5), are being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18), and will be saved (Romans 5:9) as our salvation is worked out throughout our lives.
Similarly, though believers experience God’s forgiveness at the moment of salvation, their need for forgiveness continues. As they grow in Christ, Christians realize they still stumble into sin and need to continually seek God’s grace and ask forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Believers have assurance that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1), even as they wrestle against sinful tendencies that remain.
Salvation inaugurates the process of sanctification. Christians are called to continually grow into greater Christlikeness as they follow Jesus. This involves an ongoing dependence on God’s grace and forgiveness. The more believers grow in the light of God’s truth and holiness, the more they see their own remaining sinfulness and need for His mercy and cleansing.
Forgiveness also has an important role in human relationships within the church. Christians are called to graciously forgive one another as they have been forgiven by God (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32). Extending forgiveness to others also honors the reconciling work of Christ.
Eternal Forgiveness Brings Final Salvation
When Christ returns, Christians will experience the full realization of their salvation when they receive resurrection bodies and live eternally in the perfect presence of God (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
God promises for believers this culminates in the “redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23). Then they will be completely free from the presence and power of sin. Their salvation will be complete as sin’s effects are totally undone. This final, eternal state is made possible now for Christians by the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. The forgiveness He offers allows for reconciliation with God both now and forever.
Conclusion
Forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ is the gateway into salvation and restored relationship with God. Repentance and faith are needed on the part of individuals to receive this forgiveness personally. Forgiveness is not automatically bestowed upon all, but must be appropriated by those who put their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. This offer of forgiveness is available to all. When received, it opens the way for a reconciled relationship with God leading to eternal life. Throughout the lifelong journey of faith, believers continue to depend on God’s grace and forgiveness as they look forward to final salvation from the very presence of sin when Jesus returns.