Kindly understand that there is no such thing as arbitrary forgiveness, neither in real life nor in the Bible. God clearly states in Epistle to the Hebrews that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.
Even in everyday life we understand this principle: where there is forgiveness, there is always a price to pay. Someone must bear the cost and that someone is always the victim or the one who forgives.
For example, suppose you lend me your car (insured only under third-party cover), and I accidentally crash it. I come back and inform you about the accident. Because we are friends, you decide to forgive me. But here is the unavoidable question: who will pay for the repairs?
Forgiveness may cancel the offense, but it never cancels the cost. Someone, somewhere, must bear the cost.
You see, when you sin, the first and primary victim is always God. When Potiphar’s wife tempted Joseph to sleep with her, this is what he said:
“How then can I do this great wickedness and SIN AGAINST GOD?” ~ Genesis 39:9.
When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, this is what he wrote:
“Against You (God), You only, have I sinned.” ~ Psalm 51:4.
Therefore, if the primary victim of sin is God, then it is only God who can forgive that sin and more importantly, pay its ultimate price: death. In the Bible, the penalty of sin is death, either from the sinner or from the victim.
And that is exactly what God did at the cross. He not only forgave your sins, but He also paid the ultimate price - death.
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” ~1 Corinthians 15:3
