Forgiven, or paid? Pick one!

[seebs]

I often see various explanations of how Jesus redeems us from our sins. Often, these explain that the debt of these sins is paid; often, they explain that the debt of these sins is forgiven.

Which is it?

The terms are mutually exclusive. If a debt has been forgiven, there's nothing to pay, and you can't pay it. If a debt has been paid, there's nothing to forgive. To forgive a debt is to discard it without receiving payment.

So which is it?

 

[Oblio]

How about healed

Kyrie eleison

 

[plum]

I often see various explanations of how Jesus redeems us from our sins.

isn't using the word "redeems" enough?

good question though, seebs

 

[mike1reynolds]

Since Jesus paid so dearly for our sins I wouldn’t exactly call it free forgiveness, no matter what it looks like from the point of view of people whose sins were partially ameliorated. With that kind of sacrifice clearly He paid the debt.

 

[SumTinWong]

Great question Seebs, one I have pondered myself. I would echo the response of Oblio.

 

[BigChrisfilm]

I often see various explanations of how Jesus redeems us from our sins. Often, these explain that the debt of these sins is paid; often, they explain that the debt of these sins is forgiven.

Which is it?

The terms are mutually exclusive. If a debt has been forgiven, there's nothing to pay, and you can't pay it. If a debt has been paid, there's nothing to forgive. To forgive a debt is to discard it without receiving payment.

So which is it?

It is both. That is why you can't figure it out, because you don't realize it is both, not one or the other.

 

[£amb]

brain....hurting....thinking...too hard....



That is a mind teaser there...

 

[a_ntv]

I often see various explanations of how Jesus redeems us from our sins. Often, these explain that the debt of these sins is paid; often, they explain that the debt of these sins is forgiven.

Neee

The fact that Jesus redeemed us from sin is simply one result of His Incarnation, Cross and Risen (=Redenction), and not the more important result.

His Redemtion is by far more

He destroyed the Death
more:
He opened a link between man and God
more:
He allowed us to be called Sons of God
more:
He restored us in the situation of Adam and Eve
more:
He fullfilled the work of the Father in creating us 'in His image and in His likeness'


These are more complete explanations

 

[stumpjumper]

I voted neither. I like the answer "healed"... Always liked the dance comparison...

 

[PETE_]

Jesus paid the debt for our sin. We no longer owe the price for our sin. When we do sin,as Christians, we should ask for forgiveness. Since the penalty for sin has been paid we are asking for forgiveness for not following His commands.