The Process of Forgiveness

The process of forgiveness on the human level is fairly straight forward.  When we are lightly offended by another person, we may simply forgive them because we love them so much or because the offense was so light that it is easily forgotten.  For more grievous offenses, we may find it harder to forgive, but we may decide to do so because the offender admits guilt and the offender's expression of sorrow and regret is sufficient to ease our pain.  Of course, the process is always easier if the offender offers to compensate us for our losses and/or promises never to do it again.

The process of forgiveness on the supernatural level is more complex.  For God, every sin is a grievous offense.  For the sin to be forgiven requires more than an admission of guilt, an expression of regret, a reconciliation of damages and a desire to turn away from the sin forever.  God requires that Jesus mediates on our behalf.  He can only be our mediator if we have received Him as Our Savior.  The process of supernatural forgiveness is a miracle made possible by the death of Jesus on the Cross.