"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins" (Acts 13:38).
Forgiveness and pardon from all sin will only interest you if you consider yourself to be guilty before God. Our Lord said, "they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick" (Matt. 9:11). There is but one exclusive method by which God pardons sin, "through this man." God will pardon sin, but not apart from this man, Jesus Christ our Lord and His appointed, suitable sacrifice for sin (Heb. 2:17). All of the sin of God's elect were so charged to Christ Jesus (2 Cor.5:21) and He so completely made satisfaction for them (1 Peter 3:18), that all who receive Him by God given faith shall never perish (John 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1). Here are four important Biblical facts about the pardon of sin in Christ.
1). It is full and complete pardon. His precious blood does not atone and put away some of the sins of God's people. It is complete and full for all who by grace do believe (Acts 15:11). This is the plain record of holy scripture, "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1John 1:7; Col. 2:13; Heb.10:17).
2). It is free and sovereign pardon. It is true that it cost God our Saviour a tremendous price, He shed His blood and gave His life as a sacrifice to God's justice to put away sin (Acts 20:28). However, pardon of sin to the believer is absolutely free, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32; 1Cor. 2:12; Rev. 21:6; 22:17).
3). It is irreversible and eternal pardon. Those who God pardons will never stand before the throne of God charged with sin, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Rom. 8:33-34). He saves us with an everlasting salvation (Isa. 45:17). He redeemed us with an eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12). He gives unto His sheep eternal life and they shall never perish (John 10:27-30).
4). It is present and immediate pardon. Can we know that we have this perfect pardon from God, that we are accepted in the Beloved now? Here is the promise of scripture, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace " (Eph. 1:7; Rom. 5:8-11; 1 John 3:1).
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