Reconciliation, Forgiveness, and Justification: Guarding the Line of Truth
One of the greatest dangers in our day is the subtle fabrication of truth. A teaching may sound sincere, even biblical, yet it stretches beyond Paul’s doctrine and blurs the line between reconciliation, forgiveness, and justification. Our task is to keep our nose in the Book, rightly dividing the Word of truth, so that we can discern between what God has said and what man imagines.
Recently, in an online discussion, several of these skewed views were aired and openly debated. They reveal how easily believers can be swayed into fabricating truth — either through sincere ignorance of their Bible or through blatant negligence toward the truth. In either case, the result is the same: misinterpretation of Scripture or outright rejection of doctrine in favour of something else. Let’s look at these views and compare them to Paul’s grace doctrine, and then debunk them simply by applying Scripture in its correct context.
Fabrication 1: “You don’t need forgiveness.”
They claim that since God is not imputing sin today, forgiveness is unnecessary. They reason that if sin is not charged, then forgiveness is redundant. This view arises from a shallow reading of 2Cor.5:19 and a failure to compare Scripture with Scripture.
The Truth: Paul does not dismiss forgiveness. He ties forgiveness directly to redemption in Christ: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph.1:7; Col.1:14). Forgiveness is not merely about imputation; it is about the removal of debt through Christ’s blood. Justification is the declaration of righteousness, but forgiveness is the clearing of debt. Both are essential, and both are part of Paul’s gospel.
Fabrication 2: “All humanity is already forgiven.”
They teach that forgiveness is universal, applied to all people whether they believe or not. They argue that since Christ died for all, forgiveness must automatically cover all. This view comes from confusing reconciliation with justification, and from ignoring Paul’s insistence on faith.
The Truth: Christ’s death made forgiveness available to all, but it is applied only to those who believe. Paul preached: “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39). Non-imputation is universal, but justification and redemption are not. Forgiveness is offered to all, but only believers receive it.
Fabrication 3: “Forgiveness is the same as non-imputation.”
They equate forgiveness with the suspension of imputation, claiming they are identical. This view arises from failing to distinguish between dispensational grace toward the world and positional truth in Christ.
The Truth: Forgiveness is tied to redemption in Christ: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col.1:14). Non-imputation is God’s present attitude toward the world: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them” (2Cor.5:19). Forgiveness belongs to those in Christ, while non-imputation is God’s grace toward the world. To merge the two is to blur the difference between God’s patience toward unbelievers and His eternal work for believers.
Fabrication 4: “Sin is no longer a problem.”
They minimize sin by saying there is no sin standing between man and God. They reason that since God is not imputing sin, sin is irrelevant. This view comes from ignoring Paul’s warnings about sin’s ongoing reign in death.
The Truth: Though imputation has ceased, sin remains destructive. Paul warns: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof” (Rom.6:12). He continues: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom.6:23). Sin is not charged to accounts today, but it still enslaves, corrupts, and destroys. Believers must reckon themselves dead to sin and alive unto God (Rom.6:11).
Fabrication 5: “Reconciliation means everyone is already saved.”
They confuse reconciliation with salvation, teaching that because God reconciled the world, all are automatically saved. This view arises from failing to distinguish between God’s act of reconciliation and man’s response of faith.
The Truth: Reconciliation is God’s act, accomplished at the cross. Salvation is man’s response, received by faith. Paul is clear: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them” (2Cor.5:19), but then he pleads, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ… we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2Cor.5:20). Reconciliation is universal; salvation is personal.
Fabrication 6: “Justification is automatic because Christ died.”
They argue that justification is automatic, since Christ’s death paid the price. This view arises from ignoring Paul’s repeated insistence on faith as the means of justification.
The Truth: Justification is not automatic. It is received by faith. Paul declares: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom.3:24). He explains further: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom.5:1). Grace provides the gift, but faith receives it. Without faith, there is no justification.
Encouragement to Guard Against Lies
These fabrications remind us how fine the line is between truth and error. Some are born of ignorance, others of negligence, but all distort Paul’s doctrine. The only safeguard is to know the Scriptures, rightly divided. By keeping our nose in the Book, comparing Scripture with Scripture, and trusting the precise words of the KJV, we can spot the lie and cling to the truth. Let us be on guard, lest we be spoiled by lies, and let us study diligently so that we may stand firm in the gospel committed to Paul.
Credit to my friend Dennis for this topic.
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