10. Remission of sins

Why is there a need of remission of sins?

As descendants of the first two humans - trespasser of God’s law or in biblical terms: ”sinner” - we are all ”sinner” by birth as well:

”12 ..., as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men ...” (Romans 5.12)

In consequence of the committed mistake Adam and Eve became mortal beings:

”23 ... the wages of sin [or: the disobedience towards God] is death ...” (Romans 6.23)

It is a tough reality, wellknown to anyone, that everybody’s birth lies ahead a certain lifetime, that could be long or rather short, but which finally ends with the person’s death.

However, it is the will of God that man comes back to the condition conferred by Him in the beginning: the one of an immortal being:

”23 ... but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6.23)

Jesus Christ has met the just requirements of God by paying with His death for the sins of mankind:

”5 ... he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”

(Isaiah 53.5,10,11)

”21 ... he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5.21)

Since then everyone who believes in Him will be redeemed or in other words saved: from eternal death to eternal life, so that on one certain day, decided by God the Father and known only by Him, the dead in Christ will revive for eternity and there shall be no more death. (Revelation 21.4)
 
”16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3.16)

”47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” (John 6.47)

”52 ... the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

(1 Corinthians 15.52-54)

Why and how should we understand that there is the necessity of forgiveness of sins?

When there are misunderstandings occuring within human relations that lead to the impairment or the severance of the mutual contact, then it is only forgiveness that could restore the initial relations of harmony and peaceful co-existence.

By His self-sacrifice Jesus creates in a similar way the new foundation of the wonderful harmony between God and man, thus reconciling us with God.

”18 ... God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus ...” (2 Corinthians 5.18)

As descendants of the first two people we definitely run to meet the eternal death, that is the just punishment (biblically: ”wage”) of sin.
As long as we do not understand that we should sincerely accept Jesus’ sacrifice made in our stead, the wrath of God will remain forever above us, whereas our future will be the eternal perdition. According to the Bible this is a most terrible state.

”36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3.36)

”8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

(Romans 5.8-10)

”28 ... I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish ...” (John 10.28)

”40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

(Matthew 13.40-42)

But to the one who believes on Him, the Lord Jesus has forgiven him the sins once and for all, namely by His onetime accomplished sacrifice. Subsequent to this, any other kind of action done from man side in order to add something or other is no longer required.

”43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10.43)

”10 ... we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.”

(Hebrews 10.10-12,14,18)