How do we receive this forgiveness?

First, we need to understand that the forgiveness of our sins is considered a GIFT... this means that we cannot deserve it or earn it in any way, but we must receive this gift.

Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Its through faith in Christ Jesus, we can obtain forgiveness of our sins through the blood that He shed for us: Galatians 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."John 3:15, "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."Romans 3:28, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

Galatians 3:24, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

As you can see through the verses above, it is through faith in Christ Jesus that we are made right with God. The Bible even goes on to show that if we try to make ourselves righteous by our own works, then we are missing the whole point, and therefore we are not truly accepting the work that Christ did as significant!

Galatians 5:1,4, "So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law... For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace."