How do I receive forgiveness from God?

TL;DR:

God offers forgiveness to anyone who acknowledges their sin and turns to Him in faith. By recognizing our sin and trusting in Jesus Christ, we receive His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

The Bible teaches that God offers forgiveness to anyone who acknowledges their sin and turns to Him in repentance (Proverbs 28:13; Acts 3:19). All people have sinned and need forgiveness, which comes only through trusting in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-24; John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Scripture shows that salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus, not through our own works or efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). But when we acknowledge our sin and confess it to God, we can receive His forgiveness and cleansing (Psalm 32:5; Romans 10:9). Even after we are saved, we are called to confess sins and turn from them, living in obedience to God’s character and purposes (Romans 6:1-2; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9). Trusting in Jesus alone brings restored relationship with God, assurance of eternal life, and the freedom found by being forgiven (Matthew 27:51; Romans 5:1).

from the old testament

God requires repentance and turning away from sin for forgiveness. For example, 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin.”
The sacrifices outlined in Leviticus, such as the sin and guilt offerings, symbolize the need for atonement and show that God provides a way to restore fellowship after sin.
Acknowledging sin before God is a recurring theme in receiving forgiveness. Psalm 32:5, for example, reads, “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”

from the new testament

All people have sinned (Romans 3:23) and stand in need of God's forgiveness.
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is the source of forgiveness of sins: "Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you" (Acts 13:38)
We can be forgiven of our sins by first acknowledging that we are sinners. First John 1:8-9 teaches, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
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God desires to forgive us (2 Peter 3:9) and has made a way for us to be forgiven through Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
We trust in Jesus Christ by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." We do not earn forgiveness through our works. Instead, we believe in Jesus by faith and receive His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

implications for today

How can you believe in Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness of sins? Speaking through the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul explained how: "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Salvation happens when you believe Jesus is Lord and accept that He died for your sins and resurrected from the dead.

But what if you are already a Christian? Being a Christian is not a license to sin. But when Christians sin, God forgives us when we confess those sins and turn from them. First John 1:9 applies to Christians, too. As Christians we are called to live righteously (John 14:15; 15:9-11; 1 Peter 1:13-16) for God and His purposes for our lives (Romans 12:1-2).

Do you want to place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and receive His forgiveness and free gift of eternal life? You can do it now. There is no special prayer to do so. However, if you’re unsure of what to say, you can use the following prayer to ask for forgiveness and accept salvation:

"Dear God, I realize I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. I can never make up for my sins against you through my own actions or reach heaven by my own good deeds. But you have provided a way for me to receive forgiveness. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son who died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life."

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understand

All human beings have sinned and need forgiveness.
We can receive forgiveness through trusting in Jesus Christ.
Even after receiving salvation, believers are called to confess sins and live in obedience, living within a restored relationship with God.

reflect

How honestly have you acknowledged your sins before God, and what might be holding you back from fully confessing them?
How are you tempted to rely on your own efforts rather than trusting Jesus for forgiveness and salvation?
How does knowing that God’s forgiveness is a free gift change the way you live and respond to your sins?

engage

How does understanding God’s desire to forgive shape the way we approach relationships, both with Him and with others?
What does it look like practically for a believer to live in ongoing obedience while experiencing God’s forgiveness?
How can we help others understand that forgiveness is available to everyone, yet requires faith in Jesus?