Forgiveness is Something We Already Have

Question?
I believe the gospel. Does that mean all my sins; past, present and future are forgiven?

Answer:
Yes. To help clarify this answer let’s take a look at a few passages.

Hebrews 10:12; Colossians 1:13; Colossians 2:13; Colossians 3:13; Romans 6:6,7

Believers Identify with Christ

Paul wrote in Colossians 1:13-14 ‘He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.’ So, as believers, forgiveness is something we ALREADY HAVE.

Next, Paul writes in Colossians 2:12, that believers are ‘buried with Him (Christ) in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.’ Paul continues in Colossians 2:13, ‘And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.

Similarly, Paul writes in Romans 6:6, ‘knowing this, that our old man (our sin nature) was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Our sin nature is nailed to the cross along with ALL our sins; past, present and future. In the next verse, Romans 6:7, Paul makes it clear that only those who identify (or believe the gospel) with Christ death “are” freed from sin, ALL SIN. ‘For he (the believer) who has died has been freed from sin.’

Because of our faith in the gospel, we identify with Christ and He forgave us of all our sins…and because He lives we live with Him.

Bible Study Tip

When reading a passage in the Bible it is always important to be aware of the grammar in context. When it comes to salvation passages the grammar is always “Past Perfect Tense”; had, has, have been. The PAST PERFECT TENSE indicates that an action was completed (finished or “perfected”) at some point in the past before something else happened.

Christ Died for All Mankind’s Sin, Once

In Hebrews 10:12, Paul makes it clear that Christ died once for all the sin in the world. ‘But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,’

The cross was a one-time event. The sin dilemma was dealt with at the cross. All of mankind’s sin was forgiven because of the work of the cross. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Today, Christ sits at the right hand of the Father. (Psalms 110:1) Christ doesn’t jump down to earth, hop back on His cross repeating the process every time someone believes the gospel. No way! Christ work is done!

Mankind’s salvation is based on that one-time event and whether or not they believe it (choice), “the gospel”. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Forgiving One Another

The content and context of the passages covered clearly demonstrate that all who believe the gospel are forgiven of all their sins; past, present, and future. The fact that we have been forgiven of all our sins is established in other verses that encourage us to forgive others.

For example, in Colossians 3:13, Paul writes that we should be, ‘bearing with one another, and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.’

Also in Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Being in Christ, we died with Him, buried with Him, have risen from the dead with Him, and have been forgiven of all our sins.

Conclusion

God’s Word is definitive on the matter of forgiveness of sins. The moment a person believes the gospel all their sins; past, present, and future are forgiven.

Thank you for reading.

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Jamie Pantastico

Faith, Sine Qua Non.