Do you have to be saved to get forgiveness for your sins?

Do you have to be saved to get forgiveness for your sins?

QUESTION:

Do you have to be saved to get forgiveness for your sins?

INCORRECT AND UNSCRIPTURAL ANSWER:

The best way to be forgiven sins is to try and make amendments for all you have done that weighs on you. If you cannot make things right in particular instances then try and sort out what is happening around you, being helpful and loving making things better in the here and now.

The fact is that no form of words will wipe out your ‘sinful’ past only ‘good’ actions from now on. There’s no-one floating about elsewhere who can alter the past.

SCRIPTURAL ANSWER:

Becoming saved, which is to hear and respond in faith to the gospel of grace, trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, results in the instant and absolute forgiveness of one’s sins. A persons sins are nailed to the cross and the righteousness and innocence of Jesus Christ is imputed to that person freely and without reservation. At salvation a person is justified and sealed unto the day of Christ. (Read Rom 3:21-28; Rom 4:5; Rom 5:1-2; Rom 5:10-11; Rom 5:21.

In regard to making amends, there is nothing wrong with in general life. We are to allow the love of God to flow out of us and reconcile. However, to say that we are to make amends to be forgiven of our sins is not our doctrine. Paul says the following,

Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

As the above confirms, in this grace dispensation, we are ALREADY forgiven by the blood of Christ. This forgiveness is immediately applicable the moment we get saved. The verses state that because we are forgiven, we should go and forgive others. It is completely wrong to believe that one has to work at amending past actions in order to earn salvation. Thinking this just spoils the power of the sacrifice and blood of Christ. Jesus paid the price on our behalf. He made the ultimate amends in our place. There is NOTHING we can do in our own power to outdo what Jesus has already achieved for us.

On the other hand, it is in the Kingdom program that Jesus and the 12-apostles taught to Israel that one had to go and make amends with their brother BEFIRE they come to the alter and ask for forgiveness. Notice what Jesus taught the Jews,

Mat 5:23  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Mat 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

Mat 6:14-15  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

As you can see, the verses above confirm that in the Kingdom program for Israel, the Jews had to first reconcile BEFORE they could receive forgiveness.

In order to understand the Bible in the correct context, it is absolutely critical to know and apply right division on scripture according to 2Tim.2:15. This is when you will be able to understand scripture and avoid confusion and contradiction. Forgiveness is a great example to prove this point, but there are MANY more examples that will correct the doctrine of many who mix or blend the program of law of Israel with the program of grace for the Body of Christ.

One final point. The person who gave that incorrect answer also said, “no form of words will wipe out your ‘sinful’ past only ‘good’ actions from now on.”

This is also completely wrong. The moment you are saved by grace, your sinful past is forgotten by God. Notice what Paul writes,

Rom 5:1-2  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The moment we are justified, we have PEACE with God. That justification and peace have NOTHING to do with your past or good actions from now on. You have absolute peace with God from the moment of your salvation; having access by faith into the grace in which we stand. You cannot ask for anything more. Peace with God is the ultimate forgiveness.

God bless.