June 1998 Issue

Forgiveness for Saints...

How Does the Christian Receive the

Forgiveness of Sins?

by Drew Hall

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Titus 3:4-5 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

GOD's love, kindness, mercy, and grace allow Christians to be saved from their sins. Jesus Christ our Savior - through His sacrifice on the cross - has redeemed us from our sins and gives us everlasting life. Without GOD's willingness to send His Son into the world, to suffer and die for the sins of the world, none of us would have any hope of an eternity in Heaven. Through His love and mercy GOD has brought salvation to all.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Hebrews 10:38, 39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Romans 8:23-24 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

While it is true that GOD's love, grace and mercy saves the Christian, this salvation is not totally without our involvement. The Book of GOD teaches that it is through our faith that we can obtain the forgiveness that GOD offers us. Those who are justified, who have their soul saved from spiritual death, by GOD are those that live by faith. The gospel of Jesus Christ can produce in us the kind of faith we need to inherit eternal life - IF we continue to abide in the teaching of the gospel and do not forget what GOD has told us. The message that Jesus Christ our Savior has given us may seem foolish to the world but Christians know that Christ's message is the power of GOD to save man's soul. As we continue to trust in GOD, His Son and the Spirit of grace we need to keep in memory the message of the cross and how we should live because of GOD's grace and mercy toward us. By receiving, standing in, and keeping in memory the gospel of Jesus Christ we will eagerly wait in hope for that day when GOD will welcome us all into Heaven.

Romans 6:3-4, 12-13 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ... Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

1 John 1:8, 9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Acts 8:12-13, 18-23 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. ... And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

As we, through our faith, wait in hope, we must determine to live the new life GOD has prepared for us. This life is one that requires us to turn away from the devil and the pleasures of sin he offers, and yield our body and soul to GOD. GOD's ideal life for His children is for them to live this new life without sin. However, GOD knows that we will sin and has made provision for us to be forgiven from these sins. As we realize our sin, we are instructed by GOD to have a godly sorrow for the sin, to turn away from the sin, to confess our sin to GOD, and to pray to our Heavenly Father for forgiveness. When the Christian does this, GOD has faithfully promised to forgive him of the sin and cleanse him from the unrighteousness.

[Editor's Note: Thanks to Drew Hall for the article! He can be reached at: 198 Airport Road, Lacey's Spring, AL (205) 883-7416]

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com