I’ve always struggled with the guilt and shame of my sin. My religious tradition taught me there is a consequence for every sin. This meant I had thousands of consequences to be given to me. I finally approached a seminary professor I trusted and explained what I had been taught. He read 1 John 1:8-9. Verse eight says “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Notice the word ‘we’? It means John includes himself as a sinner. All Christians sin multiple times during the day in word, action, or thought. John was no different, so he included himself. What do we do when we sin? Verse nine says if we confess our sins Christ is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What does it mean for God to forgive our sins? Does He forgive and never forget? Is that why I receive a consequence for every sin? Since I love the Old Testament, my professor pointed me to Isaiah 43:25. It reads “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” My professor gently asked “What do the words ‘…I will not remember…’ mean to you?” He watched as the chains of condemnation fell off. Through my tears, I said, “How can God give me a consequence for something He doesn’t remember.” I had been set free. How about you?