When pardoned by God
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1 ESV)
Instantly and completely pardoned
Yesterday, the president of the United States pardoned a man who had been a long-time prisoner. He was instantly set free. His criminal records were expunged as though they never existed. He is now a free man with a new beginning. His slate is now completely clean.
This is a picture of what happens when a person becomes “born again” as stated in the Bible in John 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:23.
A new creation
The Bible says it very clearly this way: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)
Declared righteous
At the moment a person becomes “born again,” God completely forgives their past! He no longer remembers their past sins as though they never happened! He then declares them to be a righteous person!
“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1)
“Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Rom. 5:9-11)
Benefits for the righteous
There are wonderful benefits for the righteous in the form of God’s promises! Look what the Bible says about the righteous person.
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’” (Psalm 92:12-15)
They will
Flourish like a palm tree
Grow like a cedar of Lebanon
Be planted in the house of the Lord
Flourish in he courts of our God
Bear fruit in old age
Stay fresh
Stay green
Proclaim great truths about the Lord:
"The Lord is upright”
“He is my rock”
“There is no wickedness in Him”
Claim the above promises for yourself!
They are for those who are saved. For those who have believed and confessed Jesus as their savior.
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:9-10)
Therefore…
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” (Eph. 1:7-8 ESV)
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NKJV)
Quote:
“God pardons like a mother, who kisses the offense into everlasting forgiveness.” - Henry Ward Beecher