Or a Holy Roller. I wish he would just get out of my face. It gets boring.

Jarhead

According to Scripture and not clever clergy sowing dissension, Jesus as the Son of God does forgive (reject) sin (transgression, trespass, debt) and according to that same Son of God, in the Lord's Prayer, God does in the Father forgive sins.


Matthew 6:12

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Is the sin forgiven? Or the one who committed them forgiven?




Luke 5:20


And when He saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.


Luke 7:48


And He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.



Colossians 1:14

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:


Ephesians 1:7


In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;


Acts 26:18


To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

What is sin?[/quot]

1st and foremost: rejection of Jesus Christ

In fact: Its the only sin that will condem your soul to H3ll

so if adolf hitler believed jesus was a god he doesn't get set on fire, but the nonbeliever that runs a homeless shelter and food bank does?

Really, would we want to worship a God that doesn't punish evil? I don't think so. When we see the horrible things some people have done to others we cry out to God for justice. In our hearts, we all want God to punish the evil that we see in this world.

I think what brianmall and this pastor mean is that God's justice demands punishment for evil. And God is to be praised for his justice. So even though WE can be forgiven, our sins cannot. Even if I am forgiven, there is still a penalty that must be paid for all the evil I have done and continue to do.

If God doesn't require punishment for evil, then why did Jesus need to suffer and die on the cross? Why couldn't God just magically forgive and forget all the sins of His children? He cannot do so because His holy nature will not allow it. God is holy, just, and his nature demands that evil be punished.

The only reason we can be forgiven is because Jesus suffered the punishment for the real, actual, and particular sins of God's people. The sins of God's people do not go unpunished - it is Jesus that accepted the punishment for us. He took my sins upon himself and gave me his perfect righteousness in exchange. That's the good news. My sins are forgiven of me, but only because God the Father poured out His wrath and punishment for my wickedness upon His only son who, out of obedience to his father, accepted the penalty for me.


I love the lyrics of this hymn by John Newton called "Let us Love and Sing and Wonder"

Let us wonder. Grace and justice
Join and point to mercy's store
When through grace in Christ our trust is
Justice smiles and asks no more


Just think about that! God's perfect demand for holy justice looks at me, sees the blood of Jesus, smiles, and asks no more! That is cause to sing and wonder. Grace and Justice joined together and pointing to God's immense love. What a beautiful God!


“Love was compressed for all history in that lonely figure on the cross, who said that he could call down angels at any moment on a rescue mission, but chose not to – because of us. At Calvary, God accepted his own unbreakable terms of justice.” --Philip Yancey



Also, Christians believe it is possible for the most wicked of men to be saved, but only because of the unsurpassing greatness of the Savior. Our mortal minds would consider the wickedness of some monsters to be so vile that they are beyond forgiveness. But, in thinking so, we underestimate the power of the sacrifice of the infinite and immortal God. Plus, I think the huge difference we see between the evil people and the "good" people in this world is really not so great when viewed from the perspective of a perfect and holy, holy, holy God. On the spectrum of good versus evil, if Adolf Hitler is the pinnacle of evil, and a perfect God is on the other end of the spectrum, Mother Theresa would still be about a half-inch away from Hitler and a trillion light away years from God.

I am a great sinner. But I have a great Saviour!

I think we should have fun with our small kids and grandkids. Put a bowl of the favorite candy or ice cream or cake within reach and tell them no matter what don't eat it. Leave the room and watch secretly through a keyhole till they eat a little. Burst into the room and beat them severely for disobedience. Then punish them for the rest of their lives. People have more character when treated/raised properly.

I think many believers get hung up on trying to convince others to follow their beliefs. Hence the term Bible thumpers. It is my belief that as a Christian, we are to spread the word. That's it! If that seed is planted and the person is receptive, God will handle it from there. After all, We can't save anyone! That is between them and the Almighty.