But God doesn t treat us that way. God forgives us before we re even aware we need His forgiveness. The prodigal son returns home. Like the prodigal son, we ve offended God by our sin. And yet, before the creation of the world - it was in God s plan to forgive us through Jesus death and resurrection.
Forgiveness starts in the heart of the one offended.
The other movement of forgiveness is our response towards God. We need to turn from our sin and and turn towards God to receive what He s done for us. John preached a baptism of repentance. As people publicly confessed their sins they were baptized in the Jordan river. It was amazing.