Passion - Forgiven Lyrics

Forgiven

Forgiven Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Passion's song "Forgiven" is a powerful anthem of confession, repentance, and the overwhelming grace found in Christ. The lyrics open with a stark admission of personal responsibility for sin, using visceral imagery like holding the nail that crucified Jesus. This reflects a deep understanding that individual sin contributed to Christ's suffering. The lines "I've hidden in the garden" and "I've denied You with my very lips" directly allude to biblical narratives – Adam and Eve hiding after sin and Peter denying Jesus – placing the singer's own failures within a long history of human brokenness and betrayal.

The turning point in the song arrives with the act of surrender. The singer falls to their knees, still acknowledging the weight of their actions ("with a hammer in my hand"), yet meets the divine gaze. The response is not condemnation but open arms and the resounding declaration: "Forgiven! Forgiven!" This core message emphasizes the unconditional nature of God's forgiveness offered through Jesus. The accompanying promise of freedom from sin and the call to "say goodbye to every sin" highlights the transformative power of this grace, offering not just pardon but liberation from sin's bondage.

The lyrics further detail the burden of past mistakes and regrets: "I've done things I wish I hadn't done, I've seen things I wish I hadn't seen." Yet, the mere thought of God's "amazing grace" prompts a cry for forgiveness, underscoring grace as the catalyst for repentance. The bridge section starkly contrasts the deserved consequences of sin – being "six feet under," "lost forever," or in "that fire" – with the reality of being forgiven. Instead of condemnation, there is now "fire inside of me," representing a new life and purpose driven by the Holy Spirit. The declaration "Here I am a dead man walking, No grave gonna hold God's people" speaks to spiritual resurrection and eternal life promised to believers. The truth that "All the weight of all our evil lifted away forever free" captures the complete removal of the burden of sin through Christ's sacrifice.

The song culminates in a reaffirmation of the forgiveness received, emphasizing God's undeserved love and the cleansing power of Jesus' blood which makes the believer "innocent." This aligns with scriptures like Romans 3:23 which states all have sinned, and Romans 6:23 about the wages of sin and the gift of God. Ephesians 1:7 declares redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. 1 John 1:9 assures that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us. The theme of new life is echoed in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come." Released on April 14, 2017, as part of Passion's worship music, the song effectively communicates the profound truth of the Gospel – that despite the depth of human sin, God's love and forgiveness through Jesus are greater, offering complete freedom and a new identity.