Repentance: The First Word Of The Gospel

Repentance: The First Word Of Christ's Ministry


The beginning of the public ministry of Jesus Christ is forever linked with that of John the Baptist. Immediately following his statement about Christ baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire, John added, "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Then later on in the passage we see Christ coming to John for baptism where we see the Holy Spirit descending on Him like a dove. (Matthew 3:12-17) From there, Christ was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days and nights of fasting and temptation at the hands of the devil. From there, Christ withdrew into Galilee. Then, leaving Nazareth, he settled into Capernaum and from that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). Mark noted that this event occurred after John had been taken into custody, and explained, "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:14-15).
Both John and Jesus make an immediate tie between repentance and the kingdom. Why? There were two kingdoms then as there are two kingdoms now. Every mere human being then and every mere human being now is born into the kingdom of this world. The kingdom of this world is sometimes described as the kingdom of Satan, the kingdom of evil, the kingdom of time, the kingdom of darkness, the kingdom, death, the kingdom of unrighteousness. But there is another kingdom. It is known as the kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of life, the kingdom of light, the kingdom of righteousness, the kingdom of Christ, the eternal kingdom. Citizenship is by birth. Dual citizenship is prohibited. All those born into the kingdom of this world remain in that kingdom unless, by a miracle of divine grace, they are born again, born a second time, born of the Spirit of God into the kingdom of God.
Repentance is not the entry ticket into the kingdom of God, but it is a condition of citizenship. Repentance is the insider's way of thinking.
Christ's message of repentance, as noted in (Mark 1:15), is linked with faith: "repent and believe in the gospel."
While citizenship is the result of the second birth, all citizens must live in repentance and faith. That is why John concludes his third chapter saying, " He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
(John 3:36)
Not only was repentance the first word of Christ's ministry, it was also the last.
Anyone called by God as a follower of Jesus Christ who fails to stress this message of repentance does so in express violation of a final command that Christ gave. following His resurrection, and immediately prior to His ascension, Christ "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and he said to them, thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending forth the promise of the Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on High" (Luke 24:45-49).

Richarc Owen Roberts

"It Is Written"

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.



“…then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Gen. 3:5 –6)

In every generation there are men, women, and “secret societies” that have miraculously discovered the ancient secrets to make one “healthy, wealthy, and wise.” The deception is that they actually have no idea just how ancient their “secrets” in fact are. God disclosed to us how Satan used them in the Garden of Eden. Of course, there is one major difference; God reveals them to be sins not secrets. The secret is that the Serpent of the Garden hopes one does not discern this truth until it is too late. They are simply the sins of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. But, Lucifer sweetened the pot by adding “ye shall be as gods,” which meant they would have superiority over others who lacked these traits.

Satan used the same temptations on our Lord Jesus Christ in the wilderness when he presumed our Lord to be too weak to resist. The old Serpent challenges the Lord’s superiority with “IF thou be the Son of God,” and “All these things will I give thee,” suggesting he was superior over Jesus. The Son of God may have been weakened in the flesh but he never diminished one speck in His mighty spirit. The Lord dashes to pieces Satan’s offer with the words “It is written” and then quotes the Holy Scriptures of old, the very Word of God.

Satan has never changed his methods of temptations; he may transform their outward appearances, but they are forever the same. The serpent always begins with the thought of “superiority to others”; then he dresses the allurements to fit the character of the one being tempted. He uses things like money, possessions, outward appearances, success, control over others, romance, prestige, intelligence, popularity, etc. The problem is they are all temporal pleasures, empty, and full of vainglory. Their appetites are never full.

The believers’ answer to all of Satan’s temptations must ever be “It is written.” Eternal life and the forgiveness of sins are in the superiority and riches of God’s grace and mercies. Praise His Name!!!

Repentance: The first word of the gospel

To understand repentance we must understand that it is a gift of God. Therefore, man alone by himself unaided by the Holy Spirit is incapable of "true" biblical repentance. Scripture speaks of an earthly "sorrow" or repentance(2 Corinthians 7:10). Such as produced by Judas (Matthew 27:3). This earthly repentance results ultimately, in damnation. By preaching the gospel with a call to repentance we are appealing to the need of grace, not to human ability. The New Testament sees repentance as something that God grants ( 2 Timothy 2:24-26), (Acts5:31), (Acts 11:18)
The biblical idea of repentance is turning from serving self to serving God. (1 Thess 1:9-10) So, on to the next chapter........


Chapter 1
Repentance , The First word of the gospel

The first word of the gospel is not "love." It's not even "grace." The first word of the gospel is "repent."
Repentance: The first word of John's ministry.

As Zacharias stood in the temple to burn incense to the Lord, as was the custom. An angel of the Lord spoke to him and said (Luke 1:13). It was promised to him that he would have a son who would make straight the way of the Lord (Luke 1: 16-17).
Fast forward several years and we see Zacharias' son John, proclaiming repentance. (Matthew 3:1-3).
Not only is the word repent the dominant note in John's message, but he made the concept of repentance absolutely clear. Repentance makes the path straight between the lord and the repenting person. Repentance is like clearing the highway of holiness to and from God.

Luke spelled out the details of John's message "Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God".(Luke 3:4-6) Without repentance, no one can make their way to the Lord. Without true repentance the Lord will not make His way to us. John the baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. (Mark 1:4) One follows the other: repentance must precede forgiveness; forgiveness does follow repentance. There is something grossly unwise in supposing that a person can experience the forgiveness of sin while resisting or merely remaining ignorant of repentance.
We are made keenly aware of John's knowledge of the attitudes of the Pharisees and Sadducees who were coming to him for baptism, he said to them "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bring fruit in keeping with your repentance."(Matthew 3:7-8)
John's message is urgently needed today. Millions are trying to receive the Lord when their path has never been made straight by repentance. I beg you, don't think yourself a christian unless you are bearing fruit that is keeping with repentance.

Richard Roberts

Next
Repentance: The first word of Christ's ministry

The doctrine of repentance: The first Word of the Gospel

I am currently reading a book by Richard Owen Roberts. Repentance: The first word of the Gospel. No, not Oral's son. His book is on the doctrine of repentance. I believe this doctrine is one of the most misunderstood, taught and studied of all the doctrines in scripture. I want to post some of the thoughts and ideas he writes in his book. I have seen it written in other blogs and articles, that faith is not a gift of God. Which is the typical arminian interpretation of (Ephesians 2:8-9). Since repentance is so married to faith, I assume they would say that repentance is not a gift of God. The very fact that those who make such statements and write them, are even allowed to take their next breath, that very breath, is a gift from God. (James 1:17). Now certainly, repentance and faith are "good" things, so according to (James 1:17) they,(faith and repentance) obviously come from God. Repentance and faith are necessary for eternal life. Eternal life being a "gift" from God (Romans 6:23).

So, to start repentance is a gift of God. (2 Timothy 2:25), (Acts 11:18), (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)

This will take several posts to fit this in but I think it will be well worth the effort. I will refrain at this point from giving the definition of what repentance is, but ratherI will let the writer define the word repentance as he defines it through the means of biblical theology.

Introduction:
There are several reasons why the doctrine of repentance is so largely neglected and is having relatively little impact in the Church and society.

1. There is a general disregard for biblical doctrine in the church. Church leaders often say "doctrine is divisive and divides". That is a true statement. Preaching the great doctrines of the Bible divides the sheep from the goats. Without careful searching and doctrinal preaching the church becomes an assorted lot of flesh and spirit that is nearly impossible to pastor. A mixture of sheep and goats is a pastors nightmare. Further, the world cannot believe in Christ because it cannot believe in the mixed multitude that calls itself Christian. It has no means whatsoever of distinguishing between the sheep of Christ's flock and the goats of the world that sit side by side in the same sanctuaries and mouth the same religious jargon.


2. Portions of the church that still believe in doctrinal preaching have allowed themselves to become grievously negligent about the doctrine of repentance. Many who sincerely believe repentance is necessary have simply failed to allow the doctrine it's rightful place. They have sought to make converts who neither understand nor practice biblical repentance. Thus the strength of these churches is diluted by unrepentant and unconverted persons in the membership who, nonetheless tragically, suppose themselves "Christians." Massive confusion and ineffectiveness are the result.


3. There is an increasingly common failure in the church in understanding the mandatory nature of repentance. Some seem to be of the persuasion that repentance is an option. "One can repent," they say, "and maybe even should,but it certainly isn't mandatory." In consequence, multitudes have sought to turn to Christ withhout ever turning from their sins. Thus it is becoming increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish the church from the world.


4. Others have developed the preceding error into pernicious doctrine that is being widely taught and preached. This grievously erroneous viewpoint insists that repentance has nothing whatsoever to do with salvation. Repentance is described by these false teachers as a "work". They insist, "we are not saved by works, We are saved by faith alone." Their error is not so much in stressing salvation by faith alone as it is in failing to understand the irrevocable link that always exist between repentance and faith. To assume that sinners can turn to the Righteous One without turning from their own unrighteousness is the height of theological nonsense. In attempting to describe repentance as work," these teachers are much more successful in proving their ignorance of the Holy One. Sad to say, this grievous error is responsible for incredible damage throughout major portions of the church.


5. Repentance has been neglected because of a grievously distorted focus upon the positive. There is a widespread notion that Christianity must always be stated in positive terms. Some have gone so far as to say "If you can't say anything positive, don't say anything at all." Faith is perceived as positive whereas repentance, by such reckoning obviously falls into he category of negative.


6. The doctrine of repentance has suffered at the hands of the Church's large-scale commitment to success. Massive numbers of church leaders have a great love for commitment to ministerial success. Their tendency is to pick and choose the elements of both religious truth and pop psychology that will most readily facilitate the accomplishment of their purpose. A focus on the love of God, the role of faith in human happiness, the benefits of holistic living and the upbeat elements of a well integrated human responsibility, are seen as much more helpful in building large churches than thundering against sin, insisting upon repentance, and issuing warnings about judgement and hell. Consequently, there is a noticeable absence of any vital ministry of the Holy Spirit in these churches. Millions of churchgoers have no idea hat they need to repent because in their church there is an acute lack of the great work of the Spirit in convincing the world of sin a of righteousness and of judgement to come (John 16:8-11). When there is virtually no conviction, it can hardy be surprising that there is little or no repentance and virtually no true conversions.


7. There exists a tragic lack of moral earnestness among religious leaders. Even in cases where repentance is accurately taught and preached, it is commonly done with such lack of moral energy and vital spiritual concern that few indeed catch the urgency of biblically mandated repentance and respond accordingly. How does God feel when His doctrine are set aside? Does He smile in the realization that this new age in which we live and that the old fashioned truths are no longer relevant? Or does He rise in indignation against all those who seek to accomplish His purposes in their way instead of His? Read (Isaiah 63:10).

In urging your most careful consideration of the doctrine of repentance, I am reminded of two very urgent words of caution given by our Lord Jesus Christ concerning our hearing.

(1) "Take care who you listen to" (Mark 4:24)

(2) "Take care how you listen" (Luke 8:18)

In their context, both of these passages make it clear that what a person has, what is added to them, and what is taken from them is immediately affected by their degree of care in listening. These cautions place important responsibilities upon each of us. Our spiritual intake can have a dramatic effect on us. Some being careless about what they hear, will sit for years listening to unsound and unprofitable teaching and preaching and will suffer the loss in withered spiritual lives. Others sit under very solid biblical ministry but are careless about how they hear and, in consequence, the likewise experience little if any spiritual growth, and indeed they may even lose much of what they had earlier gained. These cautions affect all intake of truth and are applicable to reading as to hearing. Just as there are many very sloppy listeners who never really learn to heed neither what they hear or how they hear, so also there are careless readers who pay too little attention both to what they read and how they read. Some waste their lives reading worthless things. But others read important things that seem to make no lasting difference in their lives.

Next Chapter 1

Repentance: The first word of the Gospel

Missionary Hearts In Hell!!!

It is written: “And in hell he lift up his eyes, … Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” (Lk. 16:23, 27-28)
It is truly an amazing thing that most people go through this life with little to no thought of what their entrance into eternity might bring. The enormous bulk of those who give a smidgen of a reflection to what eternity might hold usually have some fairytale view of it. Some folks believe that death is the finality of all things, an absolute nothingness absence of all conscientiousness. Others believe the body’s energy flows into an oneness with a mystical higher energy. Some believe all mankind will exit in glory at various levels of blissfulness. Of course, there are many other strands of thought that also do not come into agreement with the Holy Word of God. Few there are that even accept the reality of the Hell written of in the Scriptures.
Whatever one may have as an opinion, it is in all reality irrelevant. The God of all creation is the supreme authority over the whole of the matter, and He has declared there is a heaven for the redeemed and there is a hell for the unbelievers. It is not a matter for human debate. God has made it so, and so shall it forever be.
The “certain rich man” in the text of Luke was hurdled into the reality of this truth and proclaimed, “I am tormented in this flame.” Unbelief became belief. The factual existence of hell is now all too real to him. Life after death in a tormenting flame for all the ungodly is a fact that must not be ignored. This “certain rich man” no longer thinks of hell as a myth or a subject to be taken lightly. As the text reveals, he now has a missionary heart, “…testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.”
Every soul in hell has a new heart today, a heart for missions. Each has a heart for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Sadly, it will do them no good now for their eternity is sealed. But, what if we could hear the cries of the missionary hearts of hell in our hearts? Could you imagine the impact it would make across the world? Have we the believers become so cold and indifferent to the destiny of men? I would to God we could hear the hearts of the condemned in hell!

Pastor, Dr. Manuel J. Seymour Sr.

ENDURING SOUND DOCTRINE

It is written: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.” (II Tim. 4:3-4)

The word “endure” means to hold firm, to sustain, to bear with, and to listen to. The time of the fulfilling of this passage is most definitely upon us. The vast majority of the “religious” realm will not receive the sound doctrine of the Holy Scriptures. Without conscience they have forsaken that form of doctrine that was once delivered unto the apostles and the saints of old. Most preachers and churches have decided not to hold firm to the teachings of the Word of God. Compromise is the order of the day. They are not able to bear the firm presentation of that Word which has forever been settled in the heavens. Multitudes become agitated and even angry when they hear the words of the Lord Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles. Religionists cannot bear an honest presentation of the Word of God.

The words “itching ears” refer to the fact that their hearing is lusting to be tickled. For an unrepentant sinner the raw Word of Truth cuts into the heart, sets fire to the conscience, and an inferno of rage boils within him. He cannot bear the hearing of sound doctrine. His ears despair to hear soothing words of flatteries and fables from teachers void of understanding. He prefers ten thousand spinners of stories than to hear the voice of one man of God. The crushing words of the truth of God’s Word are more than an unregenerate sinner can abide under. He turns to fictitious tales that fill him with empty hopes and dreams. These pet his self-esteem and serenade his heart and conscience into a stupor of empty emotions of blissfulness.

Rare indeed in these days are those who love and treasure the sound teaching of the Word of God. Few there be that walk the pilgrim’s path of truth and righteousness. These savor, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:103-105) These hold firm and are sustained by the sound doctrine of the Word of God, and despise perversions and tickling fables.

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

THE FRIENDSHIP OF CHRIST

Arthur Pink
December, 1945


We wonder how many of our readers have ever heard a sermon or read an article on this precious subject. We wonder how many of His people are accustomed to think of Christ in this blessed relationship. If the answer be, "Few," that is indeed pathetic and tragic! Christ is the best Friend that the Christian has, and it is both his unspeakable privilege and bounden duty—to regard Him as such and to treat Him accordingly.

Our Scriptural support for those statements is found in the following passages, among others. "There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). That can refer to none other than the Lord Jesus, the Lover of our souls. "This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem" (Song 5:16). That is the language of His Spouse, the testimony of the Church, avowing this most intimate and blissful relationship.

Add to these the witness of the New Testament when in the days of His flesh, Christ was termed "a friend of publicans and sinners!" (Luke 7:34), and our warrant is clearly established.

There are many and varied relations in which Christ stands to a believer, and he is greatly the loser if He be ignored in any of them.

Christ is the God, Lord, Head, Savior of the Church.

Officially—He is our Prophet, Priest, and King.

Personally—He is our Kinsman-Redeemer, our Intercessor, our "Friend." That title expresses the close union there is between the Lord Jesus and believers: They are as if but one soul actuated them—indeed, one and the same spirit does, for "he who is joined unto the Lord is one spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:17). "Christ stands in a nearer relation than a brother to the Church: He is her Husband, her Bosom-friend" (John Gill, 1697-1771). "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Ephesians 5:30).

But even those relations fall short of fully expressing the nearness, spiritual oneness, and indissolubleness of the union which exists between Christ and His people. There should—then, be the freest approaches unto Him and the most intimate fellowship with Him. To deny Christ, that is to ignore the fact that He is our best "Friend."

"There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). That endearing title not only expresses the close relation there is between Him and His redeemed—but the affection which He ever bears them. Nothing has, does, or can, dampen—much less quench—the outflow of His love for His friends! "Having loved his own who were in the world—He loved them unto the end" (John 13:1). That blessed title of Christ's tells of the sympathy He bears to His people in all their sufferings and sorrows, their temptations and infirmities.

"In all their affliction he was afflicted. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old" (Isaiah 63:9), what demonstrations of His friendship are those! That blessed title also tells of His deep concern in our cause and interests. He has our highest welfare at heart, and accordingly, He has promised, "I will not turn away from them, to do them good" (Jeremiah 32:40).

Let us consider more definitely the EXCELLENCIES of our best Friend.

Christ is an ancient Friend. Old friends are prized most highly. The Lord Jesus was our Friend—when we were His enemies! We fell in Adam—but He ceased not to love us; nay, He became the last Adam to redeem us and laid down "his life for his friends!" (John 15:13). He sent His servants to preach the Gospel unto us—but we despised it. Even when we were wandering in the ways of folly, He determined to save us, and watched over us. In the midst of our sinning and sporting with death and damnation, He arrested us by His grace; and by His love and power, overcame our enmity and won our hearts unto Himself!

Christ is a constant Friend, One who "loves at all times" (Proverbs 17:17). He continues to be our Friend through all the vicissitudes of life. He is no "fair-weather friend", who fails us when we most need him. He is our Friend in the day of adversity, equally as much as in the day of prosperity. Was He not so to poor Peter! He is "a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1), and evidences it by His supporting and sustaining grace. Nor do our iniquities and transgressions turn away His compassion from us! Even then He acts the part of a friend toward us, "if any man sins—we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).

Christ is a faithful Friend. His grace is not shown at the expense of righteousness; nor do His mercies ignore the requirements of holiness. Christ ever has in view both the glory of God and the highest good of His people. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:6). A real friend loyally performs his duty in pointing out to me my faults. In this respect, too, does Christ "show himself friendly" (Proverbs 18:24). Often has He occasion to say unto each of us, "I have a few things against you" (Revelation 2:14); and then it is by that, He rebukes by His Word, convicts our conscience by His Spirit, and chastens us by His providences: "That we might be partakers of his holiness" (Hebrews 12:10).

Christ is a powerful Friend. He is not only willing—but able to help us! Some of our earthly friends have the desire to assist us in the hour of need—but lack the necessary ability. Not so with our heavenly Friend! Not only has He the heart to assist us—but also the power. He is the Possessor of "unsearchable riches" and all that He has—is at our disposal: "The glory which you gave me I have given them" (John 17:22). We have a Friend at Court, for Christ uses His meritorious influence with the Father on our behalf: "He ever lives to make intercession" for us (Hebrews 7:25). No situation can possibly arise with us, which would be beyond the resources of Christ.

Christ is an everlasting Friend. He does not desert us in the hour of our supreme crisis: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil—for you are with me" (Psalm 23:4). Nor does death itself sever us from this Friend who "sticks closer than a brother"—for so far from calling upon us to sojourn in a popish purgatory, we are with Him that very day in Paradise. Death will have separated us from those on earth—but "absent from the body" we shall be "present with the Lord" in Heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8).

And in the future Day of judgment, Christ will manifest Himself as our Friend, saying, "Enter into the joy of your Lord" (Matthew 25:21, 23).

Why did God send a fish to swallow Jonah?

Last night I was at church and heard an amazing sermon on John 21 about how the Lord didn’t let Peter go and brought him back to Him. During the sermon the pastor said the Lord didn’t let Jonah go either. I started thinking, Why did God send a fish to swallow Jonah? First impulse is to say because Jonah was in disobedience and he deserved it. While this is true, and initially what I think everyone is taught, it is not the root of “why bother with Jonah.” If he wanted Nineveh saved, he could have sent anyone, or anything for that matter, to tell them to repent. The answer to “why God sent a fish to swallow Jonah?” is because God loved Jonah. Jonah rebelled and God didn’t give up on him. The Lord disciplines those he loves (Proverbs 3:11-12). I don’t think we thank the Lord enough for His discipline, to right us when we are in error. But the story of Jonah doesn’t end here. He goes to Nineveh and God brings about the greatest revival in all biblical history (an entire wicked city in repentance!). But Jonah himself is still in rebellion in his heart and the book ends with Jonah angry and the Lord still showing compassion on him. God sent a fish to swallow Jonah, allowed him to be a part of a great miracle for God’s glory and this man of God was still rebellious and angry. How like Jonah we are. God shows us compassion continually and we don’t recognize it. God gave us the law and we could not keep it. How just would God be to say, “OK everybody I created, can just go to hell.” This would truly be justice. But instead God shows another side to his personality....mercy. It is as though he said, “I put you in the belly of a fish for three days to discipline you and you still rebel, so I’ll go in the belly of the grave for three days, I’ll pay the price you deserve, I’ll trade my righteousness for your condemnation.” And he does this lovingly....he went to the cross in LOVE. Knowing that we could not keep His law, he died in our stead and rose victorious. It has been said, “What death did to Jesus is nothing compared to what Jesus did to death.” This is the gospel. This is the news that is almost too good to be true. This is what we should keep at the forefront of our mind every moment. Jonah foreshadowed this event. The Bible is such an elaborately and finely woven tapestry of truth and yet you can lose yourself in a single strand, but the uniting tie is always the gospel of Christ. We deserve hell. We get Christ. Some people complain life is not fair. But like a pardoned prisoner, who is guilty, we should thank God it is not fair. Glory forever be to Christ.