We are to receive God’s forgiveness personally, then extend our forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. (Acts 10:43)

I heard of a psychotherapist who commented that if all the patients in his institution could understand they were forgiven half the beds would be empty. Another, Karl Menninger, argued that without the concept of personal sin there is no awareness of personal forgiveness, and no real solution to guilt. The promise of forgiveness is two-fold. We are to receive God’s forgiveness personally, then extend our forgiveness to those who have wronged us. That’s when we truly receive the promise of the forgiveness of sins.