Pastor's Ponderings, August 28, 2017

God Pardons All of Our Sins

On August 27, 2017, Kevin Liptak, Daniella Diaz and Sophie Tatum from CNN wrote that the U.S. President pardoned Sheriff Joe Arpaio who had recently been convicted of criminal contempt of court. This presidential decision has stirred a great deal of controversy.  No matter which side of the argument one may support, no one questions presidential authority to pardon anyone.  That decree demonstrates some of the awesome power and authority of an American president.

While this act was noteworthy, the Bible indicates that God has already done something infinitely greater. Because of His love, He pardoned the whole world from the penalty of sin (Romans 5:8). All of us are guilty of disobedience against Him, but God loved us so much that He gave Jesus to die for our sin so that we all could be saved (Romans 3:23-24). When Jesus went to the cross, He paid the ultimate price for our sins and took them away (Colossians 2:14).  He pardoned us and we gained eternal life so we do not have to die and go to hell (John 5:24).  This does not mean that we don’t have to do anything.  We have to actually accept His pardon. We do that by asking for His forgiveness for our sins, repenting of our sins, and believing that God has raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9, 10).

We thank God that He forgave us so that we do not have to suffer the penalty of sin.  As we obey Him and walk with Him, we learn to overcome the power of sin.  When we leave this earth and live with God eternally, we will no longer have to suffer the presence of sin.  Thank God for His divine pardon. Now we are free from slavery to sin and free to serve and obey Him.

Romans 5:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

Romans 3:23-24
New International Version (NIV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:14
New International Version (NIV)
14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

John 5:24
New International Version (NIV)

24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

Romans 10:9-10
New International Version (NIV)

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.