"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." {Isaiah 55:7} The principle of pardon taught in the Bible, under the New Covenant, is available to all for the taking. Why should we rejoice because of this pardon? All are guilty of sin (Romans 3:23). Death is the penalty for sinning (Romans 6:23). This being true, the only course that can truly benefit man is the reception of pardon. The word "pardon" means "to absolve from the penalty for a fault or a crime; to free from penalty as a person." In order to be happy here, as well as eternally, we must know that God has pardoned our sins. What profit is there in talking about pardon without showing scriptural evidence of its existence? Let us examine the scriptural evidence concerning pardon from sin -- a gift given to all mankind.
Pardon involves certainty. The Bible says nothing of the doubt that many often express over whether they are sure they have been pardoned. Did the Bible writers understand that the people who lived in Bible times had been pardoned? Paul -- "So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." {2 Corinthians 5:6-8} Also, see Romans 6:17,18; Ephesians 1:7. Peter -- "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied." {1 Peter 1:2} John -- "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." {1 John 3:2} If there was doubt, these Biblical writers were not aware of it!
False evidences of pardon. So many in the world have been sold bills of goods -- which are false to the core -- concerning concepts of pardon. Examples:
Feelings. Can we truly know, by how we feel, that we have been pardoned? Some have said, "I don't care what the Bible says -- I know what I feel." Sadly, many have received strong delusions and are accepting lies (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). True, heart-felt religion comes about when we obey, and our hearts are honest (Romans 6:17,18). Feelings can be misleading -- just look at Naaman. (2 Kings 5:11-15)
Conscience. Conscience -- if it is cultivated in truth -- can be a wonderful asset to a person. Conscience needs true light to guide it correctly. Paul had a good conscience -- but it was badly flawed (Acts 23:1; 24:15). He referred to himself as the "chiefest of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). Paul's conscience was simply set according to the wrong standard -- the law of Moses (Acts 26:9-11).
Honesty and sincerity. Honesty indeed is important, but in and of itself, it is not evidence of pardon (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). Certainly, Cornelius was an honest, sincere man (Acts 10:1,2). But, to be saved, he needed Peter's preaching (Acts 10:33-48; 11:14).
What constitutes true evidence of pardon? Pardon comes from the mind of God. And God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18). Our release from the death penalty is as sure as anything else promised by God. The Holy Spirit revealed God's mind on the subject (1 Corinthians 2:9-13). Men wrote the revelation down for us to examine, study, and obey. We receive pardon when we: Hear (Romans 10:17); Believe (John 8:24); Repent (Acts 17:30); Confess (Romans 10:9,10); Be baptised (Romans 6:3,4). When our spirits agree with the Holy Spirit's testimony, can there be any doubt of our pardon from sin? God's desire is for all men to be saved. I must have the proper attitude that God has provided the means of my pardon. Dear reader -- have you received God's pardon?