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NASB | Acts 13:38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 13:38 "So let it be clearly known by you, brothers, that through Him forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you; |
Bible Question (short): Is forgiveness conditional? |
Question (full): I want to enrich my understanding with regards to God's forgiveness because it's the platform from which I want to live out my faith. I prayerfully consider what you have to share and I choose to be open minded. Is God's forgiveness conditional or unconditional? I would like to know your thoughts. My findings are as follows. God choosing to forgive us, signing for our pardon, not counting our sins against us, and legally justifying us is unconditional. While we were yet ignorant, disobedient, and unrepentant sinners, He already has cried out, "It is finished!" Objectively, legally, as far God's heart is concerned, God has forgiven the human race. But experiencing God's pardon, the healing of His forgiveness, the joy of His reconciliation, and the peace of justification is conditional. We have to believe, repent of our sins, and come home to God to have a saving experience of what Christ obtained for us at the cross. Subjectively, experientially, every individual needs a faith response not in order for God to forgive but to experience God's forgiveness. I've read in 2 Cor. 5:19 that God was in Christ reconciling the world (seems all people to me) to himself not counting their sins against them (I understand because all sins were counted against Christ) and realizing that Christ paid in full the penalty for all sins by all people for all time, I've been thinking along the following lines: a. We do not come home in order that God may forgive and justify us but He has forgiven so that we can run back home Him and experience His salvation. Isaiah 44:22 “I have swept away your sins like the morning mists. I have scattered your offenses like the clouds. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” b. God revealed His unconditional love by signing for our pardon and accomplished our reconciliation and justification even before we knew about Him, repented of our sins and believed in Him. Rom 5:8 "But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us... 10...while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son... c. Our acts of faith, repentance, or confession, do not cause God to forgive or justify us. These acts change us, not God. Coming home to Him simply allows us to experience who He already is: eternally loving and unconditionally forgiving! I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." God doesn't become faithful and just when we confess. He is and always was. Confession seems to be for our sake as in James 1:5, "Confess your sins...that you may be healed." d. Every person born into this world is born fully forgiven and legally justified. The question isn’t whether people are forgiven or not but whether they’ve come home to God or stayed away. Romans 5:18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness makes all people right in God’s sight and gives them life. e. Many people will still be eternally lost and it is not because they were not forgiven by God but because they chose to reject a loving God who has already forgiven them. John 3:18 “There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.” In sharing the Good News then, I don't see myself as a believer as one who is forgiven (while the nonbeliever is not forgiven) who then shares the Good News to the nonbeliever and if he/she believes and repents, God will forgive. Instead, I see the nonbeliever also as one who is forgiven and justified (positionally not experientially) because of the cross. I reach out to the nonbeliever and lead her to discover that God's has already forgiven her, doesn't count her sins against her (for they've been legally cancelled at the cross), signed for her pardon, sees her as His child (prodigal son). It's Good News! Then she can choose to run home (not just walk) and finally experience and celebrate God's gift of eternal life and all the blessings of salvation. I've seen people get really excited with God when I share the gospel in this manner. But what do you think? I would appreciate your comments or feedback. blessings, jaccal2000 |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Acts 13:38 | Author | ||
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Sir Pent | ||
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phophiend | ||
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jaccal2000 | ||
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Robert Nicholson |