Posted on 02/22/2013 6:59:14 AM PST by daniel1212
There is a fine line, which indicates my doctrine is still growing, regarding forgiveness and justice.
The Cross was about Judgment. It clears the path for a righteous justice allowing a loving grace to be given freely after our redemption.
Forgiveness comes later. For the unbeliever upon initial forgiveness, it happens upon facing the Cross, what Jesus paid for us on the Cross, accepting Him, and confessing our sin to God.
For the believer in postsalvation sin, it occurs by the same mechanics. We face Him, through faith in Christ, and turn away from sin in our thinking, confessing our sin to Him, and by 1stJohn 1:9 He is sure and just to forgive us our sin.
In both situations, we come to Him, accept what He has provided and confess to Him, then He forgives us. Until we return to Him, His provision goes unrecognized by us, leaving ourselves independent from Him, dead in our trespass and missing the perfect Plan He has prepared for us.
We may pronounce the Gospel to them, through faith in Christ, but we also through faith in Christ recognize those who are so scarred, secretive, and adversarial to Christ will not share our love of Him until they first accept what He provides.
Well, believers are to preach the gospel, to every soul, and whether they hear or whether they forbear, they shall know.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.