When we think of the word "pardon" we usually associate it with forgiving or forgiveness. The word is commonly used in random acts or gestures of politeness, courtesy, and civility.
"Pardon" is also mentioned at least 34 times in the Bible. In theological terms: it is the act of forgiving an offender, or removing the guilt of sin, that the punishment due to it may not be inflicted.
Without God's pardon or forgiveness our situation would be desperate and hopeless. And unlike the pardon given to a criminal by a monarch, ruler, or president, God's forgiveness is granted based on His Fatherly love.
There is not one thing that we can, or could, ever do to obtain pardon from sin. We can't buy it (Proverbs 11:4); we can't claim it because of our works or righteousness (Romans 11:6), even water baptism can't wash sin away.
Only God has the authority to forgive (pardon) our sin (Mark 2:7), and He does this by His own sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:7), through the merits of the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7).
There is not one thing that we can, or could, ever do to obtain pardon from sin. We can't buy it (Proverbs 11:4); we can't claim it because of our works or righteousness (Romans 11:6), even water baptism can't wash sin away.
Only God has the authority to forgive (pardon) our sin (Mark 2:7), and He does this by His own sovereign grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:7), through the merits of the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7).
However, just because one has been pardoned from sin doesn't make him sin-free. Sin hasn't been removed, only the guilt of it. We've been given a reprieve from the punishment we deserve for our sins.
Neither does a pardon grant us everlasting life, only justification can do that (Romans 5). Pardoned sinners remain sinners, but under justification a person is declared righteous (free from wrong, guilt, or sin), and is as if they had never sinned.
It's not hard to see why both pardon of sin and justification are seen by some as being the same, and one must admit that the connection between the two is quite close. Assuredly, on Judgement day all pardoned sinners will also be justified.
As we see, the two may be characterized, but they can't be separated. In actuality, one isn't more important than the other. Anyone pardoned by Christ's death is simultaneously justified by his life (Romans 5:10; Acts 13:38-39).
John Bunyan, said: "No child of God sins to that degree as to make himself incapable of forgiveness." How can you receive forgiveness (pardon) from God? You can only receive it by faith through His grace and mercy.
Repent of your sins, put your faith in Jesus Christ, accept him as your Savior. and ask for forgiveness through prayer. Don't wait another day, forgiveness from God can be yours now!
Scripture: Hebrews 8:12; Isaiah 43:25; Psalm 32:1; Psalm 85:2; 1 John 1:9
Prayer: Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be open to my pleas for mercy. With You there is forgiveness. I wait, and my soul waits, with hope for Your word; because with You there is mercy and unlimited forgiveness, amen.
God bless you,
Lauren
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