Two Laws of Pardon

God’s word actually speaks about two laws of pardon for man today. Two plans of salvation. No, there is still only one way to God - through Christ, but there are two different ways for people in two different situations to receive forgiveness of sins, therefore, being united with God. The first person is the one who has never become a child of God. He is required to hear the gospel, “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17). After hearing, he must then believe that Jesus is the Son of God, “for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (Jn. 8:24). He must then make a conscious decision that from this moment on he will stop serving sin, and start serving God. This is called repentance. Those folks in Acts 2:37 asked Peter what they needed to do to be saved. Peter’s answer was, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38). One must then confess his faith in Christ, “for with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:10). And finally, he must be baptized for the remission, the blotting out, the eradicating of sins. Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved...” He is now a Christian, in Christ, a child of God (Gal. 3:26,27), and part of the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47). Now the second law of pardon is available to those who have already done all of the things above. If a Christian sins, he has an advocate with the Father. If one becomes a Christian and then commits sin, he isn’t left without hope (1 Jn 2:1,2). But there are some steps he must take in order to receive forgiveness. These steps are what I am calling the second law of pardon. When a child of God sins, he must repent of that sin. That is, he must be truly sorry he committed it and then stop doing it. After becoming a Christian (Acts 8:13), Simon was caught up again in sin (Acts 8:18-21). Peter, realizing Simon’s sin, commanded him to “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart might be forgiven you.” (Acts 8:22). And so one must repent of his sin, then pray to God and ask for forgiveness. Involved in that prayer to God for forgiveness is also confession. One must confess his sin to God in order to obtain forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins...” (1 Jn 1:9). This is the second law of pardon. By the way, are you in either of these two states? If you’ve never obeyed the Gospel, the first law of pardon has been made available to you through the blood of Christ. Take advantage of it!!! If you are an erring child of God, the second law of pardon has been made available to you, also by the blood of Christ. If you’re not right with God - Get Right!