Is it hard to receive forgiveness?

Forgiveness is one step of faith. That’s how close it is. You see, God has already forgiven us through Jesus Christ. He has already provided every human being with forgiveness. It is up to that person to believe it and receive it. Paul writes the following,

Col.2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

When you respond to the gospel in faith, you are instantaneously and utterly forgiven. Your sins are placed upon Christ and nailed to His cross. Then, in place of that, Christ’s perfect righteousness is imputed to your account so that you stand completely pure and holy before God. This is our spiritual (or positional) stance before God the moment we are saved. Conditionally, we still live in the flesh (for a time being), and this walk is one of renewal and growth in sanctification, even though we might still fall into sin in moments of weakness, we remain utterly pure in a positional stance before God.

So, is it hard to receive forgiveness (and salvation)? If you think of it, it’s really a choice you make. Once you hear the gospel, you will need to decide if you want to receive the free gift of forgiveness (salvation) which has already been offered to you by an act of love that happened 2000-years ago.

Eph.2:8 For by grace are ye saved [forgiven] through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.