The other day I went to the local grocery store to by some food. After unpacking my trolley, I paid for all my goods. On the way to the car I realized I forgot to buy milk. I quickly ran back inside, grabbed a bottle of milk and on may way out I just shouted to the cashier that I have already paid for all my groceries, I just forgot to grab some milk. As I wanted to leave the store, milk in hand, the cashier came after me and stopped me, demanding that I pay for the milk. I tried explaining again that I already paid for my groceries 5 minutes ago; I just forgot to take some milk. It proved to be of no use. She said I either had to pay for my milk or else she would call security. So I was forced to go back and pay again for my milk.

This story is just an illustration. I am not really that dumb. But some people think forgiveness works like this. They believe Jesus paid for all their sin, but only up and until the moment they got saved. After that point, forgiveness is based on I don’t know, their ability to repent, ask forgiveness, live morally and all sorts of other religious behaviour. The problem with this is that Jesus has already paid and He is not going to pay again. (Heb 10:12, Rom 6:10) If He forgot about your post-salvation sin, then you have a ginormous problem. Just like the milk episode above, there would need to be another payment made if something was not included in the original price.

Partial forgiveness is therefore not good news. Especially since Jesus isn’t going to die again. What is going to be your sacrifice for your post salvation sins if Jesus isn’t going to die again? A couple of lambs? Maybe a goat? Your works? Your ability to remember, confess, cry and wail about it? Or does God go into panic mode, quickly turns back time every time somebody confesses, adds that sin in and then lets Jesus die all over again, and then fast-forwards time back to the present so we can all go on again? I highly doubt it. Jesus died 2000 years ago. Your forgiveness was fully provided at the same time. You were forgiven at the cross, not at the point of salvation. At the point of salvation you merely realized you have been forgiven already and then through faith you received His free gift of righteousness which gave you right standing before the Father. For more on this, click here.

Complete forgiveness is therefore good, or rather great, or even better, THE BEST news. One sacrifice for ALL SIN for ALL TIME. How is it that people don’t understand ALL means ALL. Even in Hebrew and Greek all means all. Check it out yourself if you don’t believe me!

Now please read the following passage at least 5 times. Read it slowly, read it out loud. THIS IS GOOD NEWS! Partial forgives is not!

Hbr 10:12-18 But this Man, after He had offered ONE sacrifice for sins FOREVER, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by ONE OFFERING He has perfected FOREVER those who are being sanctified. 15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. (NKJV)

So, what then happens to my forgiveness if I sin after being saved? Click here to find out. If you already know, go say thank you to Jesus!

Peace!

Cornel