Category 1 could be called Forgiveness Accomplished. This is part of what Christ accomplished, achieved on the cross. His sacrificial, substitutionary death secured the grace of forgiveness for us. Colossians 2:13-14: ...God made [us] alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us...nailing it to the cross.

Category 2 could be called Forgiveness Applied. This is what occurs when we cry out to God, through faith and repentance, for salvation. When we come to Christ, acknowledge our sin, embrace Him as the only hope for forgiveness and salvation, God applies to us the forgiveness that Christ accomplished for us. Acts 2:37-38: Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Category 3 could be called Ongoing Forgiveness. This is what occurs with us daily as believers when we confess our daily sins to God. He grants us ongoing forgiveness based on the Accomplished Forgiveness Christ secured for us on the cross. 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Categories 2 and 3 spring from Category 1. On the cross, Christ secured forgiveness for us by paying the penalty for our sins. When we come to God in faith and repentance, at the new birth or in daily communion, God grants forgiveness to us!

Thank God for His grace of forgiveness, abundant and available, because of Christ!