By: J.M.G. — 5/28/23
He will… but there is a condition for this to happen. In order to be pardoned, i.e. forgiven, We, Us, You, and I must REPENT of our committed sins/ transgressions against the One who is ready and willing to forgive us, Jesus Christ the Lord.
John and Jesus
When they just began their earthly ministry, REPENTANCE was their cry:
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching… saying ‘REPENT, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:1,2 NKJV).
Nearly 30 years had passed since the events of chapter 2. John was the first to cry out, REPENT [Greek:3340, Strong’s; metanoeo = “to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction);” total occurrences 34: from Strong’s 3326 and 3539.
In today’s language, “a 180- degree turn” – from fallen self-centerdness that leads to wrong actions.
John was preaching to those of Judea. He quotes Isaiah 40:3 in v.3, both John and Isaiah urged the people to confess their sins, repent of them and live for God. This is the Christians message as well. By confessing one’s sins and repenting of them, one will find forgiveness (pardon).
John prepared the way for Jesus, who also preached, REPENT:
“From that time (after His test in the wilderness (e.g. Matthew 9:1) Jesus began to preach and to say, REPENT for the Kingdom of heaven is (lit., “has drawn near”) at hand,” (Matthew 4:17).
Ambassadors for Christ
This is what all believers are to be. (See my previous article, “Ambassadors or Abomination?” (5/ 26/ 23). We’re to welcome the poor, lost sinner into the Kingdom of Heaven by telling them to REPENT! One may confess how bad they are, “I’m a BAD sinner,” but unless they REPENT, TURN AROUND, they will remain a “BAD sinner.”
Also, one must BELIEVE: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom (some versions omit “of the kingdom”) of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and thekingdom of God is at hand. REPENT, and BELIEVE in the gospel,” (Matthew 1:14,15 NKJV).
The Terms
Jesus and His Father offers peace on such gracious terms: repent and believe. By doing those, the sinner can secure security, eternal salvation (John 3:16). All sins committed against the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit can and will be pardoned IF we confess and repent.
Paul wrote:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace (some versions read, “let us have”) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grave in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God,” (Romans 5:1,2).
Justified, faith, peace, grace, hope! All things we will receive and experience upon our confessing, believing, and repenting.
Tell me, what other god or goddess can offer these?
We also, as John 1:12 states, receive power to become His/Their children.
Requirements
Besides the ones we’ve read about – confess/ believe/ repent – God and the Son requires us:
1) to lay down the weapons of our rebellion/ hostility;
2) accept our pardon and peace at the hands of free grace, (we do not earn it), as one minister wrote: “attributing the glory of it to more mercy of God as the moving, and Christ’s satisfactory obedience on the meritorious, course;” that we shall swear allegiance to Him/Them forever.
How reasonable are these? How easy it is to confess/repent and believe in Jesus’ love and grace, His infinite mercy for a poor rebel (like I once was!)
Failed Treaties
Yep! Can’t count them all! Treaties among men come and go; are made with NO intention of keeping them. A good case-in-point is the broken treaties the US. government made to the Native Americans. It is well said that treaties of peace among men are too often used but as a handsome blind for war they intend lead what they pretend most!
God does not break His promise UNLESS men break theirs first. All one has to do is read the history of Israel to see this.
The Scriptures
Martin Luther once wrote, “Tota Scriptura hoc agit, ne dubitamus, sed certo speremus” – signifying “the whole scripture satisfies our doubt, and assures our hopes in the mercy of God” (see Romans 15:4).
We may not understand all we read but we can put to rest our doubts that what God has promised He will fulfill if we keep our covenant with Him/to Him. Consider Hebrews 6:13-18 where God made a promise to Abraham in which He swore by Himself that He would keep His promise to multiply Abraham… but Abraham had to do his part, “after he had PATIENTLY ENDURED, he obtained the promise,” (v. 15).
God’s promises are trustworthy/unchanging (immutable). Hebrews 18 and 19 speak of immutable things: God doesn’t change or lie. When we come to Him in heart repentance and belief, God gives us promise of acceptance. Titus 1:2 says, “in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.”
The very foundation of our faith is trust in the LORD’S/Lord’s character. Believe God is TRUTH, He is the source of all TRUTH. We are promised eternal life if we give our hearts to Him in trust and faith: “that Christ may dwell in your/our hearts through faith…” (Ephesians 3:17).
I must add this: “But Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are (“body of Christ”) if we hold fast (firm) the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end,” (Hebrews 3:6). His part is to give us eternal life: our part is to keep it till the END!!!
The author of Hebrews tells us to, “lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1).
God does not pardon us so we can run for a bit than quit. We’re saved to serve – all our lives. (My wife and I are going on our 53rd year). Oh, yes, we’ve been tired, but not retired. We’ve been worn and torn, battered and scattered… but still in the race.
Out of Prison!
Most men live in the prison house of sin. Humankind is locked up/locked down with NO escape! Jesus died in order to free the prisoners of sin. A literal prison is like “hell on earth.” I’ve been locked up with short timers and lifers. Dreadful are those who will live and die behind bars, in “Hell’s Hotel.” No pardon coming for some. No sir! Just prison life until DEATH. Some have told me, “When I get out (not lifers) I’m gonna kill the person responsible for me being here!” Murder! He’ll know what life in prison really means. I’ve met some who did not want out, pardoned. They say they will only come right back for they will commit a crime or crimes. Sadly, there are many, many who refuse God’s pardon – so they remain “prisoners of Sin!” Some love preeminence in this life; Pride will prevent them form confessing/repenting.
For What it’s Worth
We’ve all complained about our trials and tribulations at one time or another. We’ve all inquired as to why? How long? Will they ever end?
Paul suffered years of persecutions, personal trials/tribulations and finally prosecution which finally ended his earthly life as an ambassador for Christ. Read Philemon 1:12-14. He wrote about his imprisonment: “I am a prisoner in His service and for Him,” (v.13 Amplified Bible). In his (literal) chains Paul continued to write:
“And [also] most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord BECAUSE OF MY CHAINS, and are much more BOLD to speak and publish FEARLESSLY the Word of God – acting with more freedom and indifference to the consequences” (v.14, Amplified Bible).
Did you catch that? He said most, not the least, of the believers had been inspired, became more confident in publishing/speaking the Word of the Lord (gospel) because of what Paul had gone through and was currently going through – being locked up and chained down!
Would you call that a trial? A persecution? A rough time? How many ministers would be BOLD enough today to publish/speak out against the wicked, tyrannical government, under the Biden, Harris regime (Marxist/socialist), against Black Lives Matter (Marxist/Fascist) against Antifa (draconian/ narcissistic), against the wicked FBI/CIA/NSA/Big Tech/Big Pharmaceutical et al?
Being imprisoned for the gospel’s sake/Christ’s sake would cause many to become bitter and lose hope. Paul saw it as an opportunity to spread the Good News.
Over the years we have read countless books and viewed many films on the “persecuted” (China being a nation under great persecution by the Chinese government (communism). (The underground church is the largest in the world!)
More who have given their lives for Christ have inspired millions. Those who have been to prison or are in prison inspire millions. Some of there “dazzling darlings” (female) and “strutting studs” (male) we see on TV., are they an inspiration to us? Their BIG TRIAL is who is gonna do their hair, what nice clothes to wear- do they match? Blah, blah, blah. Or, what tattoo will look nice on them? Seriously???
You get my drift.
With this said, God is still in the “Pardon” business. Ask Him and find out for yourselves.
