Dear Aebi: "Will one's sins forgiven in baptism
or restoration be brought up in the judgment?" Dear Aebi: "Will one's sins forgiven in baptism
or restoration be brought up in the judgment?"
No. If they were, they would not be said to be
forgiven. In the Old Testament, sins were remembered every year
at the day of atonement. They were never really forgiven or removed
under that system. Under the gospel, the New Testament, they are
forgiven, which means they are "remembered no more"
(Hebrews 8:12; 10:17). Hebrews 10:1-4 reads, in the New King James
Version, "{1}For the law, having a shadow of the good things
to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with
these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year,
make those who approach perfect. {2} For then would they not have
ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would
have had no more consciousness of sins. {3} But in those sacrifices
there is a reminder of sins every year. {4} For it is not possible
that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins."
The Hebrews writer goes on to argue that Jesus'
blood was different and could take away sins. "But this Man,
after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down
at the right hand of God ... For by one offering He has perfected
forever those who are being sanctified." (Hebrews 10:12,14)
Then, he quotes Jeremiah 31 in verse 17 ("Their sins and
their lawless deeds I will remember no more") and calls this
"remission," which means forgiveness, in verse 18.
If a sin is truly repented of when one obeys the
gospel or is restored, it is forgiven remitted, blotted out, erased,
expunged. Peter said, "Repent therefore and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out ..." (Acts 3:19). When
sins are blotted out, they exist no more. When God says He will
remember them no more, He means just that.
What purpose would it serve to bring up forgiven
sins in the judgment anyway? To embarrass, harass, or humiliate
the saints who are being taken to heaven? They have been cleansed
of all sin by the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7). Their robes have
been washed clean of all stain and been made white in the blood
of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14; 1:5). Their sins are washed away.
Sins will be brought up in the judgment sins that have not been
repented of, sins of all who refuse to obey Christ and God. When
Christ comes, He will reveal secret sins and hidden things of
darkness (1 Corinthians 4:5; Romans 2:16; Matthew 10:26; 1 Timothy
5:24). Evil men will be judged according to their evil deeds,
but the evil deeds once done by those now saints will have been
forgotten. No one with sin will enter heaven, so come into Christ
and be made a new creation where old things (sins) have passed
away (2 Corinthians 5:17).
One man objected, saying, "Then what do Romans
14:12 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 mean when they say we will give account
of ourselves to God?" They are talking about sins of which
people do not repent. Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 10:26; Romans
2:16; and 1 Corinthians 4:5 are all talking about this same thing.
A poet has described the intent of these passages thus: "Written
on the eternal wall, the past shall reappear." Yes, but without
those sins which have been forgiven! What will this accomplish,
i.e., recalling past sins of the unrepentant? It will show that
God's judgment in every case is just. No one will have any grounds
for appeal. All the guilty will know - and all the world will
know - that they are guilty, and of exactly what.
God's grace will cover erase expunge eradicate
the sins that have been forgiven. People may hold things against
us in spite of our repentance and begging forgiveness, but God
will not, Isaiah 55:6-9, for God does not hold grudges like people.
People should not hold grudges, either. Matthew 18:15-17, 21-35.
2660 Layman Rd., Vincent, OH 45784-9730. cjandi@juno.com