Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
June 4, 1970
NUMBER 5, PAGE 8b-9

Evidence Of Pardon

Lowell Blasingame

Sin is the transgressing of God's law (I Jim. 3:4) and its penalty is eternal death (Rom. 6:23). All have sinned (Rom. 3:23) consequently stand in need of pardon. God in his grace provides and in his mercy offers it to us. What evidence do we have to assure us that we have obtained?

Some reply upon an experience that they have had. Usually they measure their experience by that of another which they have accepted as a case of one's receiving pardon. This is not safe. Suppose that person's conversion (?) is not genuine by whom I measure myself? Paul shows the danger of measuring ourselves by others. "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise," (2 Cor. 10:12).

Others reply upon feelings as evidence of pardon. Godly sorrow causes one to feel badly for his sins. Later he is made to feel happy which he interprets to mean that he has been pardoned. Two things are wrong with this. First, feelings may be deceptive (Prov. 14:12). Bible examples and human experience confirms this. Second, pardon is an official act that must take place in the mind of God against whom the offence has been committed, not in the mind of man who commits the offence. If pardon were an act taking place in the mind of the offender penal institutions would be empty before sundown!

God's promised pardon is based upon man's obedience to the conditions which He has required for receiving it (Mt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9). He commands that we believe in His Son (Jno. 8:24), repent of our sins (Lu. 13:3), confess our faith in Christ (Mt. 10:32-33) and be baptized for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Walking in the light is the means for his continued cleansing in the blood of Christ (I Jno. 1:7).

In business a cancelled check or signed receipt is evidence of a paid debt. In religion the assurance of God's Word is the only infallible evidence that we have that we have received His pardon. John said, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments," (I Jno. 2:3). Who needs or wants more than this?

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