The Future Of Forgiveness: Sins And Redemption

The question of whether future sins are forgiven is a complex one, with differing views among Christians. Some argue that when an individual accepts Jesus as their saviour, God forgives all their sins: past, present, and future. This belief is supported by Bible passages such as Colossians 2:13-14, which states that Jesus blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross. This interpretation suggests that all traces of sin are wiped away, and individuals are justified in God's sight.

However, others argue that future sins are not forgiven until they are confessed and repented. This view is supported by 1 John 1:9, which states, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This perspective highlights the importance of actively seeking forgiveness and aligning our will with God's.

The question of future sin forgiveness is further complicated by the nature of time and God's foreknowledge. If God exists outside of time and sees all of it at once, the concept of 'future' sins becomes more complex.

Jesus died for all sins, including those committed after his death

The Bible states that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, which includes the sins committed after his death. This is supported by the following Bible passages:

> "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

> "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God." (1 Peter 3:18)

> "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14)

> "And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:10)

> "For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." (Hebrews 9:24-26)

> "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

> "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

> "God forgave us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us and nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14)

> "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

These passages indicate that Jesus' death was a sacrifice for the sins of all humanity, including those committed after his death. This belief is central to Christian doctrine and provides assurance of salvation for those who accept Jesus as their saviour.

God forgives all sins, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

God forgives all sins—past, present, and future—except for one: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This is also referred to as the unforgivable sin, the unpardonable sin, or the ultimate sin.

The unforgivable sin is specified in several passages of the Synoptic Gospels, including Mark 3:28–29, Matthew 12:31–32, and Luke 12:10, as well as other New Testament passages including Hebrews 6:4–6, Hebrews 10:26–31, and 1 John 5:16.

In Matthew 12:30–32, Jesus says:

> "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."

Similarly, in Mark 3:28–30, it is written:

> "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin—for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."""

Luke 12:8–10 also addresses the unforgivable sin:

> "And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is interpreted in various ways by Christian theologians. However, they generally agree that a person who has committed this sin is no longer able to repent. Therefore, if someone is fearful that they have committed this sin, they have not done so.

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is understood as the ongoing hardening of one's heart against the Holy Spirit, who is trying to lead them to repent of their sins and believe in Christ. It is a fundamental issue of the heart that manifests in one's words and actions. It is a persistent rejection of the convicting work of the Spirit and a refusal to repent and turn to Christ in faith.

The unforgivable sin also includes the deliberate labeling of good as evil, publicly attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan, and attributing the work of Jesus to Satan.

God's forgiveness is total, not partial

God's purpose is that His children be made perfect: "Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified" (Romans 8:29–30). Note that all of God’s actions are in the past tense, as if they had already happened.

"We have been justified through faith" (Romans 5:1). When God justifies us, He declares us to be righteous. We still sin, but God’s declaration stands. The fact of our justification argues for the fact that our future sins are forgiven. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). Nothing, not even our future sins, will condemn us. The verdict of "forgiven in Christ" has already been handed down from the divine bench.

"Neither the present nor the future, . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38–39). The future cannot separate us from God's love, even if there is sin in our future. Of course, the fact that our future sins are forgiven in Christ should not make us flippant toward sin. No one can say, "My future sins are forgiven," and then proceed to live a life of sin.

God's purpose is to make his children perfect

• Be brought to Jesus: Mark 10:13–16 recounts how Jesus welcomed children and wanted to bless them. It is the responsibility of parents to lead their children to Jesus.
• Be protected: Jesus said that those who cause "little ones" to sin would be better off drowned (Mark 10:13–16). This highlights the importance of protecting children from negative influences and guiding them towards God's path.
• Be trained to be disciplined and responsible: Parents are instructed to train and discipline their children (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). The end goal is to raise children who become adults living for God's glory and understanding His ways.
• Be immersed in truth: Deuteronomy 6:5–7 emphasises the importance of teaching children about God diligently and talking about His words in daily life. The goal is for children to be surrounded by God's laws, ways, and character so they can carry out His mission in the world.

God's ultimate purpose is for his children to be perfect and to bring Him glory. This involves growing in Christ, being witnesses to the world, and fulfilling His commandments. God's forgiveness of sins, including future sins, is part of His plan to perfect His children and bring them closer to Him.

While God forgives all sins, including future sins, upon accepting Jesus as our saviour, this does not mean that Christians should become flippant towards sin. Christians are still called to confess their sins and strive for holiness. God's forgiveness should not be taken as a licence to sin but as a reflection of His grace and love.

Christians are forgiven because God has declared them perfect

> "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name, everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."

Another passage, Ephesians 2:4-6, illustrates this point:

> "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Here, it is explained that God has made Christians "alive together with Christ" and "seated [them] with Him in the heavenly places". This means that God considers Christians to be saints and citizens of heaven, despite their sins.

Furthermore, according to Romans 8:1, God does not count Christians' sins against them after they believe in Jesus Christ. This is a strong statement in the Greek language, indicating that once someone believes in Jesus, they will never come under judgment and it is not possible for them to go to hell.

However, it is important to note that while Christians are forgiven, they are not perfect. They still sin and must continue to seek God's forgiveness.

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