The Heartbeat of the Gospel is found in 2 Cor. 5:21. It can be summed up in two sentences: God took all the bad that was due to me because of my sin and laid it on Jesus. Then God took all the good that was due to the sinless obedience of Jesus and offers it to me, free of charge.

What a blessing. That is the principle of this verse which I regard as one of the most important versus in the New Testament. This verse talks about the exchange between God and man.

Jesus took our punishment and offers us remission of our sins. The difference between remission and forgiveness:

• Forgiveness: When someone forgives us, he forgets about the things we’ve done wrong.
• Remission: When our sin is remitted, all evidence of its existence is totally wiped out.

That’s what the blood of Jesus does for us! I’ve heard many people say, “I forgive you, but I won’t forget.” According to God’s word, this is not real forgiveness.  Webster’s dictionary defines forgiveness as, “to give up resentment of.”  Not exactly the definition of how God forgives man.

I want to have a heart to forgive the way Christ has forgiven me. If you desire a heart of Forgiveness pray this prayer with me:

Lord your blood wipes out the evidence of all my sin. You took my punishment and offered me remission of my sins, free of charge when I put my faith in You. What an incredible exchange! Create in me a clean heart that truly forgives as You have forgiven me. Right now Today I forgive myself and others for the wrong that has been done. I receive freedom and Your love into my heart from the Power of forgiveness that flows from You Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.