WHAT IS WHAT?

by David Dowell

". . . But this is that which was spoken . . ." Acts 2:16

CONSIDERING CONTRASTS

"TIMES PAST"

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matt. 5.14-15 and Mark 11:25-26

"IF we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins...." 1 John 1:9

Forgiveness under the kingdom program of God was conditional. It was based upon whether or not you forgave someone else. In the so-called "Lord*s Prayer" or "model prayer" ("And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Matt. 5:12). we find the exact same statute. It is the "If.. .then" principal, just like the law. God repeatedly gave Israel rules which had consequences dependent upon their behavior. If they obeyed, they would be blessed. If they disobeyed, they would receive judgment. God used to deal with man that way, but that method belongs dispensationally in "dines past." Sadly, this is the formula many Christians operate under today. They feel insecure if their washing machine or car breaks down. God*s wrath is feared when they commit sin. This is due to a failure to rightly divide the Word. That type of forgiveness, though it is scriptural, belongs in a previous dispensation.

"BUT NOW"

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace,"* Eph. 1:7

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

"And you . . . having forgiven you all trespasses;" Col. 2:13

"Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Col. 3:13

Forgiveness under the grace program of God is unconditional. It was based upon what Someone Else did! Christ died to pay the penalty for sin. God accounts this for us when we believe upon Him. Regardless of what we have done, do, or will do; when we trust Christ, God forgives us eternally. What a comfort! We don*t have to perform to keep our salvation. What a relief! "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid" Rom. 6: 1-2a. In this mystery dispensation, God doesn’t forgive us according to our works. If Christians today would rightly divide the Word, they would realize this wonderful fact!