On What Basis Does God Forgive Sins?

Imagine a courtroom where the judge must oversee a trial of his own son or daughter accused of murder.

What would be the basis for his determination of guilt or innocence? An objective standard must be applied to the facts of the case -- the law, hopefully. Yet such a trial would be nearly impossible to conduct objectively because of the judge's love for his child.

If guilt were established, would it be right for him to just say, "Well that's OK, I can see you're really sorry about what you did. So you can go home now..."? No, because this is a serious offense -- a life was taken and God holds all human life to be sacred. (Gen. 9:5-6)

It would not be right nor possible for the community to welcome back one who was a murderer. The penalty must be paid which is appropriate to the degree of the offense.

The only just basis for judging guilt or innocence is a standard of law which applies equally to every person. And the penalty must be paid in order for that person to regain his standing in the community.

How does the body of Christ welcome people into its fellowship? The basis for fellowship is the common bond of forgiveness of sins through faith alone in our LORD Jesus Christ. We are justified -- that is, declared not guilty before God -- through faith. It is an indication of our position before God in Christ. Therefore, we have fellowship with one another in Christ. (1 John 1:7) With whom can we enjoy fellowship and with whom must we break fellowship in the body of Christ?

Scripture Passage: Galatians 2:11-21

Main Thought: The basis for fellowship among believers is the common bond of forgiveness of sins (salvation) -- justification before God through faith alone in Jesus Christ our LORD.

1. A false view of justification results in separation. (Gal. 2:11-13)
2. A true view of justification creates the fellowship. (Gal. 2:14-16)
3. The fellowship of believers rises or falls based on one's view of justification. (Gal. 2:17-21)

1. A false view of justification results in separation from the fellowship of believers.

11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. (Gal 2:11-13, NKJV)

An emerging "false" gospel in the church:

As more non-Jewish believers entered the church, the Jewish believers became confused at this point -- desiring to follow Christ but having a hard time letting go of old traditions.

A small group emerged, called the Judaizers or the "Circumcision group", who decided that faith in Jesus Christ alone was not enough -- the Gentile believers must also be circumcized and obey the Law of Moses in order to be saved. In other words, they believed that one had to first convert to Judaism in order to become a Christian!

When Peter came to Antioch to see the hand of God in their midst, he initially rejoiced in this great movement of God. He freely associated with the Gentile believers. However, when the "Circumcision group" arrived, he began to withdraw from fellowship with the Gentiles and then openly separated from them. Paul said Peter was afraid of the "Circumcision group".

This is Peter who denied the LORD Jesus but later endured persecution and imprisonment for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now he is afraid of a group that has arisen within the church. His hypocrisy spread because of his great influence as an Apostle. Even the great encourager, Barnabas, was led astray in this.

An open confrontation among leaders:

Paul says that he confronted Peter openly (v. 11,14) since Peter's separation from the Gentiles was public also.

The basis for this discipline among church leaders is found in 1 Tim. 5:19-20 where elders in the church who continue in sin must be publicly rebuked because of their great influence over others.

Certainly the whole fellowship at the church in Antioch was disrupted because of this false view of justification before God.

Question: What is the link between salvation and fellowship?

Salvation in Christ provides each believer with a deep, intimate fellowship with other believers because of our common faith, common LORD, and common Spirit who makes our heart His home!

Surely you have met someone from perhaps another country or community who was very different than yourself, only to find that person was a believer. This created instant fellowship between the two of you because you share a precious bond of forgiveness and eternal life in Christ.

If one has a different gospel, then one cannot share in the fellowship of the believers. So there is an appropriate time for separation from others in spiritual matters.

Those of the "Circumcision Group" were not presenting the gospel truthfully -- they were in fact presenting a "different gospel." (Gal. 1:6-8) Theirs was a gospel of works -- faith in Christ was important, but you had to be physically circumcised and obey the Law of Moses in order to be saved from your sins.

The Bible warns that anyone -- even an angel -- who brings such a gospel is "accursed" (Gal. 1:8).

This Greek word translated "accursed" is "anathema"... a thing devoted to God without hope of being redeemed, and if an animal, to be slain; therefore, a person or thing doomed to destruction a) a curse b) a man accursed, devoted to the direst of woes. (The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon, copyright 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada) Paul could not have used a stronger word in his condemnation of those who not only believe a different gospel, but preach it to pervert the faith of others.

So the fellowship was divided over the issue of justification -- who were the true believers in the church and on what basis did they become acceptable to God?

2. A true view of justification creates the fellowship of believers. (Gal. 2:14-16)

14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." (Gal 2:14-16, NKJV)

The central argument in this issue is found in verse 16:

• "...knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law... not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified."
• "...by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus..."
• "...that we might be justified by faith in Christ..."

A. "Not by the works of the law"

Note that three times Paul exclaims that one is not and shall not ever be justified before a Holy and just God by works. It cannot and never will happen. Our Creator God is holy, perfect, and blameless. He has ordained that death is the penalty for sin (Gen. 2:16-17) and it cannot be subverted by one's own deeds -- thought to be good by the one doing them.

You can work yourself to death trying to do good deeds but you are born in sin (with a sinful nature) and you choose to sin. With one sin, you are no longer holy and forever separated from a holy God.

"But God knows that we are weak and we sin -- and because He is merciful, He will forgive us, right?" Some use this frail human argument either to minimize the severity of their sin or as a way to pacify God -- in their own mind. Such a person will be forever unsure that God has indeed forgiven their sins.

So ask this question -- on what basis does God forgive one person or another person? The answer inevitably is works -- prayer, acts of repentance, good deeds, religious rituals, tithing to the church, going to church. Can this truly be the basis for forgiveness of sins?

Paul says we "know" it is NOT by works. So consider this scenario:

 

An old thief steals $5,000 from another thief who himself had stolen the money -- both are dirty, rotten scoundrels. The old thief is caught and sentenced to 10 months in jail. Is this just?

A godly woman in the waining years of her life has been faithful to the end. She's the type of woman that makes you very "reverant" in her presence. She saves money in her cookie jar to feed the orphans down the street -- often going without food herself. Her nephew knows of this cookie jar and goes in one night and steals all of it -- $5,000 -- to spend it all on booze and fast women. The orphanage closes down for lack of support. The children are out on the street. And this godly woman suffers a nervous breakdown. The nephew is caught and sentenced to 10 months in jail. Is this just? No, we should hang him up by his toenails!

While the actual crime is the same, the degree of offense is much greater because of the character of the one offended. In the first case a thief who had stolen the money anyway. In the second a godly, faithful, good woman who was innocent.

Now, how offended is an infinitely holy, utterly righteous, perfect in every way God when we sin against him -- even a "little" sin offends His infinite holiness. This is why the punishment for even one sin is separation forever in a horrible place called Hell.

Q: What work will you do to make up for this infinite offense? The basis for forgiveness cannot be by any number of "good deeds" or acts of forgiveness. Nor can it be capriciously granted on God's part without punishment.

B. "By faith in Jesus Christ"

• Rather, placing one's faith in the LORD Jesus Christ -- believing IN Christ -- provides forgiveness of sin. There is a lot of truth in that word "faith".
• Faith involves repentance -- turning from your sin to the LORD Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19)
• Faith involves belief in Christ as the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins but rose victoriously from the grave. (Rom. 4:24-25)
• Faith also means you must surrender your will to His -- since you are declaring your belief that He is LORD. You entrust your life and eternal destiny to Him. (Rom. 10:9-10)
• This is "faith in Jesus Christ."

C. "Justified by faith in Christ"

This faith in Jesus Christ brings justification before God. This is a term which denotes a legal action whereby the penalty for our sins is completely satisfied. (1 John 2:2, 4:10)

Note that the penalty for sin is not taken away but paid by Christ. Believers are not let off the hook easy because God does not forgive on a whim. He exacts perfect, divine justice regarding sin in order to forgive us "that He might be just..." (Rom 3:26, NKJV).

Only the perfect man, Jesus Christ, could pay the penalty for the sins of mankind. (1 Tim. 2:5) In his innocent death on the cross and through His resurrection from the dead, He earned the right to proclaim forgiveness of sins to all who call on His name "...that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Rom 3:26, NKJV).

By faith we receive the LORD Jesus Christ as our Savior -- He forgives all our sins because of the blood He shed for us and then goes one step further. He credits us with His righteousness. (Rom. 3:21-22, 4:5)

Free from the penalty of sin and full of the righteousness of Christ, a believer is justified before a holy God -- just as though we had never sinned. This is justification!

The "good news" does not get any better than this. All your sins were paid for by Christ -- past, present, and future. Receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior means that you are free from the penalty of sin, cleansed of the guilt and shame of it before God, and never to be condemned, NEVER! (Rom. 8:1)

An interesting point Paul makes here: He says that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ and then adds, "even we have believed in Christ Jesus".

This he spoke to Peter and the other Jewish believers.

How is it they were justified and brought into the church of Jesus Christ?

Not by their Jewish birthright but by faith in Christ!

Q: Why would anyone want to pervert this message into a doctrine of faith plus works?

Pride -- one may be unwilling to admit he or she is a sinner.

Control -- one may want to be in control of his/her life.

Manipulation -- a practice of many cults to get others to do things you want.

The true view of justification brings people from all walks of life all over the world together as one body in Christ. Justification by faith shows that "the ground is level at the foot of the cross". (Unknown Source) We are all equal before a holy God -- equally guilty. But thank God who gives us the victory over sin and death in Jesus Christ our LORD! (Rom. 7:25) In Christ we are all equal -- each of us possesses the righteousness of Christ, justified forevermore, and worthy to be in His presence.

3. The fellowship of believers rises or falls on this view of justification. (Gal. 2:17-21)

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. (Gal. 2:17-21, NKJV)

Q: Sometimes a Christian sins. Sometimes a Christian sins a whole lot -- does this mean it is God's fault?

Paul notes that Christ is not a "minister of sin" -- you individually are accountable for your sins. "For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor." (Gal. 2:18)

Q: Then being justified by faith, I can go out now and sin as much as I want -- after all those sins are forgiven, right?

The penalty for your individual sin was already paid by Christ.

He does not lead you to sin -- He leads you in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Psalm 23:3)

Paul says in Gal. 2:19, "The law killed me but God raised me to a new life". (paraphrased) Look at the contrasts:

 

I died to the law ---> I live to God.

I have been crucified with Christ ---> I live by faith in the Son of God.

I no longer live ---> Christ lives in me.

Paul is saying that as a believer, justified by faith in Jesus Christ, I do not live for sin -- that is the old me that died through condemnation under the Law of God.

I live instead by faith in Christ, the new life which He gave me.

 

All my thoughts, desires, dreams, words, and deeds are now captive to my LORD Jesus Christ.

If all that I am and all that I do is subject to Him, then how can I even ponder the issue of sin, much less seek it with reckless abandon?

My response to anything in my new life that is not of God is of the flesh and I determine to get rid of it -- the old nature has been crucified completely in Christ.

The fellowship of the believers is established by faith in Christ and maintained by faith in Christ. The Bible we must walk in the light -- allow God's word to shine on everything we think and do -- to have fellowship with one another. (1 John 1:7) The verse continues by adding "...and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (I John 1:7, NKJV). This means that if we do sin, we still have Jesus Christ as our justifier. So confess your sin to God and thank Him for the forgiveness He offered to you in Christ (1 John 1:9) so you can experience all the joy of fellowship with our LORD and with the true believers.

Reflect on YOUR life: Those who hold to a false view of justification by faith alone will have no true Christian fellowship with you -- for they will forever be trying to earn God's approval. And this means they will be too busy for close, intimate communion with a true believer like yourself. Your only response to such people is to be able to defend this essential doctrine by knowing the truth, believing the truth, and living the truth as Paul showed us. And how do we do this?

I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal. 2:20, NKJV)

Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.Com

Copyright 1999, Randy Lariscy.