The divine dealings with the sins of the saved are similar to the divine dealings with the sins of the unsaved in one particular, namely, what GOD does in either case is done on the ground of the Cross of CHRIST. By that finished work all sin, whether it be that of saint or sinner, has been righteously judged, and the ransom price, which satisfies every demand of infinite holiness, has been paid.
By His death, burial, and resurrection, CHRIST provided the sufficient ground for both the salvation of the unsaved, and the restoration of the saved. It is because of what has already been accomplished in the Cross concerning the sin of the world, that the unregenerate are freely forgiven and justified.
He wrought in behalf of sinner and saint in bearing the sin of the world, and every requirement of infinite justice is met for all in the finished work of CHRIST.
In the one case, there is nothing left to be done but to believe; while in the other case, there is nothing left to be done but to confess.
THE ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER
The Christian, while sinning, has been safe as to divine condemnation, because of his Advocate with the Father, JESUS CHRIST the righteous; and Divine forgiveness and cleansing is exercised toward the believer in unchallenged faithfulness and justice because CHRIST is “the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 2:1-2).
In this transaction, as it is thus disclosed, the believer makes no disposition of his own sin; that has been made for him. So, also, the Advocate makes no excuses for the sinning Christian, nor does He plead for the pardon of the Father in behalf of the believer who has sinned. The Advocate presents the sufficiency of His own blood to meet the condemnation of every sin. The Father does not act in gracious kindness when forgiving and cleansing the believer: He acts in strict faithfulness to His covenant and promise of eternal keeping, and in strict justice because of the shed blood. Such is the unchanging value of the propitiation which CHRIST made in His blood.
The eternal relationship between the Father and His child can never be set aside. The Father may correct and chasten His erring child (I Corinthians 11:31, 32; Hebrews 12:3-15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17), and through confession the child may be restored to the place of fellowship; but all of this is wholly within the inner circle of the family and household of GOD. Condemnation, which would expel the child from the place of a son, is forever past.
The believer is sheltered under the Blood of propitiation, and standing in the merit of his Advocate, is on a basis where no past offences have accumulated against him; for he is cleansed and forgiven under the legal justice of the Father. The justice of GOD is made possible and is righteously demanded in view of the shed blood of His own Son.
Even before the believer acknowledge and confess that he sinned, his righteous Advocate is already doing His work, pleading and interceding with the Father (Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1) the moment the believer sinned. And not only that, every time the believer abound in sin, grace instantly abounded to his account (Romans 6:1), even before he recognizes, acknowledges, and confesses his sins. So the application of forgiveness of sins is not dependent upon the pleading of mercy or forgiveness in the part of the believer, but rather reckoned on the cross-work of Christ where God deposited all pardon and forgiveness for sins.
Let it not be supposed that this divine plan of restoration of the child of GOD to the Father’s fellowship will react in an attitude of carelessness on the part of the Christian.
The sufficient answer to this challenge is three-fold:
(1) True confession is the expression of a very real repentance, or change of mind, which turns from the sin.
(2) This very truth is given, not to encourage, or license us to sin; but rather that “ye sin not” (be not sinning).
(3) GOD can righteously deal with sin in no other way than through the absolute value of the Blood of His Son; but when sin has been laid on the Substitute, it can never be laid back on the sinner, or on any other. In the Cross of CHRIST, the question of a possible condemnation because of sin is removed forever. Boundless grace is disclosed in the provision of a perfect propitiation for the sins of the believer.
Evangelist Rodgie Quirante
The Workman’s Treasure Study Series