We learned from the God's own Word that God, for the sake of Jesus Christ's holy life and innocent sufferings and death upon the cross for the sins of the whole world, has forgiven us and all people, declaring us to be pardoned, just, righteous and acceptable in His sight.
The Bible tells us that "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world" (1 John 2:1,2). It tells us "that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:19). It says that "He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:6,7). It tells us that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:23,24).
We receive that forgiveness, individually and personally, through faith in the Gospel message of forgiveness and life in Christ Jesus. God's forgiveness and pardon becomes our own when we believe His word to us and trust that God is indeed gracious to us and has forgiven us all our sins for Christ's sake.
Again, the Bible says, "Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations" (Luke 24:46,47); "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin" (Rom. 4:5-8); and "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins" (Acts 10:43).
Therefore, the forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation which Jesus won for all when He suffered and died upon the cross and rose again becomes our own through faith -- simply by believing the word of God which tells us that God pardons and forgives us for Jesus' sake.
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinons expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 09/17/2014