God’s forgiveness of sins
I'm still having trouble understanding the means of grace concerning the forgiveness of sins. On the cross, Jesus won forgiveness for the world, and so their sins are forgiven them. And in the means of grace, this forgiveness is delivered/conveyed/conferred/ upon us, and we receive it by faith. My question is then, how do we receive forgiveness over and over again? I know that in our Baptism, in Holy Communion, and the Absolution, we receive the forgiveness of sins and that this is more than just mere assurance. Is there any further explanation for this? Or is some of this simple mystery to our human reasoning?
Your understanding of the forgiveness of sins, as you explain it in the sentences before your first question, is accurate. God’s declaration of righteousness to all people (John 1:29; Romans 5:18; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 John 2:2) became yours personally when the Holy Spirit created saving faith in Jesus in your heart (Romans 3:22, 28; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 2:8-9). God said you were forgiven, and then God gave you the faith to enjoy that forgiveness.
God’s forgiveness is complete and total. Through his gospel in word and sacraments, he offers and gives us the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. In multiple ways —through his word, the sacraments and the Absolution, as you mentioned—God is saying, “I forgive you.” All those pronouncements of forgiveness go back to God’s initial declaration of your righteousness because of Jesus’ holy life, sacrificial death and glorious resurrection.
Think of a spouse who tells the other spouse often and in different ways, “I love you.” Think of a parent who tells a child often and in different ways, “I love you.” In a much greater way, God tells you and me—often and in different ways—“I love you and I forgive you.”
I hope this little explanation brings some clarity to and greater appreciation for God’s means of grace.