God’s Forgiveness Is Full and Free—So Why Do We Still Doubt?

Last updated on: March 16, 2026 at 3:14 pm by Michele Howe

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God’s Forgiveness Is Full and Free—So Why Do We Still Doubt? 2026-03-16T15:14:28-05:00 Michele Howe

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We stand forgiven. So why do so many believers still carry the weight of past mistakes? | AI image created for Patheos.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

“You may be trying to hide past sins that you still regret. For them, you need a forgiveness story from Scripture that can become your story. When you are forgiven much, you love Jesus and others much. You are thankful, rather than guilty.”

Edward Welch

If I spend too much time mentally revisiting past failings and sin, they can take me down emotionally and spiritually with feelings of unproductive remorse and paralyzing regret. Like all of us , once we have asked for forgiveness for our sins, God forgives…and…He chooses to forget them. We are no longer charged guilty for our sins (committed before or after we came to a saving knowledge of Jesus). Praise the Lord!

God’s Forgiveness Is Full And Free

And still many of us are tempted to linger in those memories of our past sinful choices. We remember the people we hurt. We remember the innocent that were injured. We remember every single detail and accompanying emotions. And to our sad demise, we can easily grow spiritually despondent and emotionally paralyzed from living the life God has blessed us with today.

God’s Forgiveness Is Always Available

In no way do I dismiss or minimize the emotional, mental, and spiritual battle that takes place when we, as forgiven men and women of God, choose to take God at his word and accept his forgiveness. As humans with limited understanding, we may mistakenly believe we have to continue to “pay” for our sins, but the bible is clear. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

God’s Forgiveness Is Promised

Our choice is to take this precious promise of forgiveness and to stand firm upon it no matter how much our ever-vacillating emotions might tempt us from one moment to the next. We are forgiven. We must then live out this gift so that we can live in the present free of past regrets that paralyze us from loving and serving as God would have us do.

God’s Forgiveness Sets Us Free

Sometimes we have to take ourselves by the hand and walk ourselves directly to the Source of all our comfort and consolation. We go directly to God’s word. We read it. We meditate upon it. We memorize it. We give thanks for its life giving, forgiveness freeing truth…and as often as is necessary, we repeat these steps all to the glory of God.

Take-away Action Thought

When I get mired in regret because of my past sins, I will open God’s word and start reading verses that declare the fullness of his forgiveness. I will write down several of these key verses and take them with me throughout the day to reread and read out loud.

My Heart’s Cry to You, O Lord

Father, here I am again getting stuck in the past by foolishly revisiting my sins and mistakes and now I’m feeling full of regret and sorrow. I know better than to linger in the past wistfully rethinking how different my life might have been had I not chosen the path I did. But I cannot go back and undo these choices. What I can do today is to walk in forgiveness and freedom and be grateful that you are in the business of restoration and redemption. Thank you, Lord, for your unconditional love toward me and the forgiveness you offer full and free. Amen.

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About Michele Howe

Michele Howe is the author of 31 books for women, children, and families. She has published over 3000 articles, reviews, and curricula. Her newest book, Fight for Joy - Discovering Peace in Impossible Circumstances, helps believers rediscover lost joy due to life's trials, suffering and grief. You can read more about the author here.

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