There are many reasons relationships can be lost, but for any relationship to ever be restored, there needs to be forgiveness. Forgiveness is critical in any true and lasting relationship and this is certainly the case for our relationship with our Creator as well.
The Bible never shies away from the truth of our need to be forgiven. David is clear that, “no one living is righteous before God;” Solomon said, “there is not a righteous man on earth;” and Jesus said, “no one is good except God alone.” (Psa. 143:2, Ecc. 7:20, Mark 10:18) This is because, as Paul would also state, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)
Our sin is the offense that separates us from God, and since that offense is against Him, only He can forgive us. Which is why forgiveness is foundational to the Christian faith. Many religions and ideologies seek to soothe the consciences of people by giving them rules and laws to follow, but without the forgiveness of sins, everything we do or say is empty and profits us nothing.
But this is where Christianity differs. Christianity is not a system of “dos and don’ts.” Christianity is the act of God reaching down to humanity and giving them what they can’t obtain themselves, namely: the forgiveness of sins.
All who call upon the Name of the Lord and trust in “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” will receive the forgiveness of God and be brought back into a right relationship with Him. Our sin may still be an ever-present struggle in our lives, but if our trust is in Jesus, then we can be sure that “as far as the East is from the West, so far (has God removed) our transgressions from us.” (Psa. 103:12)
– Shaun M. Hewlett