Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I'm reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget
In this life
I know what I've been
But here in your arms
I know what I am
Chorus
I'm forgiven
I'm forgiven
And I don't have to carry
The weight of who I've been
Cause I'm forgiven
My mistakes are running through my mind
And I'll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry
In this life
I know what I've been
But here in your arms
I know what I am
back to chorus
When I don't fit in and I don't feel like I belong anywhere
When I don't measure up to much in this life
Oh, I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ
Forgiven
Forgiven Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on March 16, 2010, Sanctus Real's song "Forgiven" arrived as a powerful anthem articulating one of the most profound experiences available to the human soul: receiving pardon from God. It bypasses complex theological debate to focus on the raw, personal encounter with grace, capturing the journey from carrying the weight of past wrongs to the incredible lightness of being set free. The song embodies that moment of realization that despite everything, there is a way back, a cleansing available that washes away the shame and regret.
The core of the song unpacks the burden we carry because of our mistakes and failures – that universal reality the Bible speaks of when it says, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Before experiencing forgiveness, there is often a sense of being distant, unworthy, or trapped by choices made. The song beautifully conveys this feeling of isolation and the internal struggle with regret. It gives voice to the quiet ache of knowing things aren't right and longing for a way to bridge the gap created by sin.
But the song doesn't dwell on the darkness; it pivots to the glorious truth of God's initiative. It points to the moment where the weight begins to lift, not through self-effort or earning a second chance, but through the free gift of grace offered through Christ. This echoes the biblical truth found in Romans 5:8, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It’s a reminder that forgiveness isn't contingent on us cleaning ourselves up first, but is extended to us in our brokenness when we turn towards God, just as 1 John 1:9 assures us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
What makes the message of "Forgiven" so impactful, mirroring the depth of Scripture, is the emphasis on the *completeness* of God's pardon. It speaks to a forgiveness that doesn't just overlook but actively removes the offense. This resonates deeply with verses like Psalm 103:12, "as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us," or Isaiah 43:25, where God declares, "I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." The song captures the liberating truth that when God forgives, the past is truly dealt with, no longer held against us. Hebrews 8:12 reinforces this promise: "For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."
The result of this divine act, both in the song and in biblical reality, is a profound sense of freedom and a renewed identity. The feeling of being weighed down is replaced by an overwhelming sense of peace and liberation. It speaks to being made new, aligning with the transformative power described 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." The song captures the experience of shedding the old self defined by sin and stepping into the light of being accepted and loved, reflecting the truth in Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Ultimately, "Forgiven" serves as more than just a personal testimony; it's an invitation and a declaration. It reminds us that no matter what we've done, God's grace is sufficient and available. Furthermore, having received such immeasurable forgiveness, the song implicitly, like Scripture, calls us to extend that same grace to others. Ephesians 4:32 instructs us to "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you," and Colossians 3:13 echoes this: "bearing with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Sanctus Real's "Forgiven" stands as a poignant musical expression of this central, life-changing truth of the Gospel, offering hope and encouraging reflection on the incredible gift of God's boundless mercy.
