Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
All of mankind is by nature burdened with sin; first the original sin imputed from Adam to all his posterity and second the sins we commit ourselves (Romans 5:12). In the Sovereign Judgement of God, there is a severe penalty for all sin, the original and that which we commit ourselves. There are no exceptions, all are guilty; for, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (I John 1:8) and “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (I John 1:10). In the Sovereign Judgement of God, sin is so grievous that the penalty is a “death” sentence; “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). That is, “death” in all its meanings is the penalty for sin. The word “death” denotes a separation; thus, sin produces a separation from God (Isaiah 59:2), a separation from “peace”, and finally a separation of the body and spirit/soul (natural death). And, because “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), all of mankind is polluted by sin and cannot offer an acceptable offering unto God for the payment of the sin-debt, not even our own lives would be sufficient. But, our Heavenly Father “hath made us accepted in the beloved”, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:6). That is, God the Father “hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (II Corinthians 5:21). Thus, both sin and its “death” penalty were Eternally Removed from everyone that God the Father had given to Jesus Christ to save (John 6:39). He removed sin’s penalty when He offered Himself, an absolutely perfect Sacrifice unto the Father. Therefore, now we are forgiven our sin-debt and Eternally “accepted in the beloved”. Because we are now “accepted in the beloved”, we can “therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16) and we can joyfully look forward to being with our Lord in His “paradise” (Luke 23:43) when we die and, because He hath given “us the victory” over sin and death (I Corinthians 15:57) we look forward to the great day of the Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven in our glorified bodies (I Thessalonians 4:13-18). It is true that “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:6); that is, as even godly human fathers would do, He chastens us to correct our behavior in this present life that we might be faithful servants to Him and have greater peace and joy as we live out our natural life. His Fatherly chastening is one great assurance of His perfect love for us and that our sins are forgiven.