Men cannot undo the past, but God can forget our past sins against us so that we are no longer guilty. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger. Forgiveness frees one from the bondage of sin. Forgiveness releases one from the debt incurred by sin. Forgiveness should not be confused with injustice, as when a guilty person escapes punishment through lies or bribes.
Forgiveness creates the opportunity for a new beginning.
Forgiveness means that the old record is clear, and one is looked upon as if he had never sinned. With the past buried by the love of God, God and man can now start a new covenant relationship, brought about by the blood of Jesus Christ. This new birth allows a man to start over with God. In this new relationship in Christ, he can think, act, and speak like Christ. Forgiveness is the means by which God reconciles the world.