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QUESTION 11:
If there is no future judgment for a believer's sins what happens when they sin?

ANSWER:
A very important question. There are two aspects of forgiveness. "I write unto you, little children (born-again ones) because your SINS ARE FORGIVEN for His name sake." 1 John 2:12. This is judicial or legal forgiveness. It has to do with the penalty of sin, which is future. This means God has taken these sins to judgment at the Cross of Christ, for He died under it's judgment. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE us our sins and this cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. The "we" in this verse included, John the writer, and all believers. This is governmental forgiveness. It has to do with the present chastisement for our sins.

If a believer does not confess these sins God will "spank him." "For if we (believers) would judge ourselves (that is, confess and forsake our sins) we should not be judged. But when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord, that we SHOULD NOT BE CONDEMNED (judged) WITH THE WORLD (the unsaved)." 1 Corinthians 11:31-32. Hebrews 12, is a whole chapter on the chastisement of believers. God dealt with believer's sins legally at the cross in Christ. The justice of God has been completely satisfied. He deals with the unconfessed sins of a believer governmentally every day. Here, God asks a question. "Who can lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth." Romans 8:33. No devil, angel or man can lay a sin upon God's justified believers. "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord WILL NOT IMPUTE (put to one's account) sin." Romans 4:8.

Christians, rejoice in this blessedness. Sinners, repent and accept the Saviour to know the joy of sins forgiven.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen