…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified [declared just] by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness [justice], because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness [justice] at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26, ESV)
Have you ever asked someone to forgive you during a round of golf? Maybe you accidentally stepped in their line. Maybe you unintentionally teed off first when your partner had the honor. Perhaps you forgot to rake the bunker. Maybe an expletive unexpectedly exploded out of your mouth.
Explaining forgiveness is much like trying to explain the concept of time; we know exactly what it is until we are required to explain it. St. Augustine famously quipped, “What is time then? If nobody asks me, I know; but if I were desirous to explain it to one that should ask me, plainly I do not know.”
Similarly, we say, “God forgives.” Without a doubt, this is amazingly true. But knowing it and explaining it aren’t necessarily the same thing. One error we make regarding God’s forgiveness is to assume he forgives like we forgive. If that were the case, Jesus’ death was unnecessary. Let’s explore that a bit.
We often make the mistake of parroting cliches we’ve heard without thinking about them. Here’s a couple to jog your memories: “Let go and let God,” and my favorite, “God’s love is unconditional.”
Take the comment, “God loves you unconditionally.” Is that true? If that were literally true, then everyone, including every atheist will spend eternity in the new heavens and new earth.
Why is it inaccurate to say that? Well, God is, indeed, love. But God is also entirely just. The cross of Calvary was as much about God’s justice as it is God’s love. It is impossible to over emphasize God’s love. Yet, when we minimize or overlook God’s justice, we end up distorting God’s love. And, even if unknowingly, we evacuate the cross of its meaning.
God’s justice—biblical justice—requires that the violations of his law are punished. God’s justice must be satisfied if lawbreakers are to find forgiveness. This is what Paul means when he says, “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” Essentially, Paul is saying that if wayward humanity is to find forgiveness, then Christ Jesus had to die to satisfy justice.
Another error we make when thinking about forgiveness is assuming God can merely “will it.” It can and often does work that way with friends. But it doesn’t work that way with God. Because God is just, broken laws must be punished. Hence, the inescapable necessity of Jesus’ death.
So, to receive God’s love, there are conditions. First, God’s justice must be satisfied. Considering God’s unwavering commitment to justice—a non-negotiable condition—someone must pay the penalty for your transgression, either you or a substitute. Jesus Christ’s death is a “condition” for God’s love to be encountered by anyone.
Furthermore, God, in unspeakable love, sent his Son to earth to live the perfect life, and die an atoning death. For anyone to receive his love and forgiveness, he must repent and trust God’s truth about himself, about Christ’s death, and about his own sinfulness. That’s a condition.
So, to say, “God’s love is unconditional,” is false. Therefore, while it is true that we are “saved by grace and not by works,” we should understand this to mean, “we are not saved by our works.” Rather, we are saved by Jesus’ work; his perfect life, and his willing obedience to die in our place to satisfy God’s justice. Grace is free, but it isn’t cheap. Jesus purchased our forgiveness with his life!
Prayer- remind us to go beyond reciting platitudes. Teach us to walk with and worship the one who paid our ransom.