There has been a bit of discussion on Jesus death and forgiveness. I wish to explore the multiple aspects of atonement vs. forgiveness. People seem hung up on what Jesus accomplished on the cross and argue the purpose/completeness of his sacrifice.
I agree with Hebrews that Jesus' death atoned for all the sins of all that will ever be in heaven, those that lived before and after his life.
Further, I believe that Jesus with his action on the cross gives those with faith a credit of righteousness such that they will not be condemed on judgement day, but will receive eternal life.
Now a topic not discussed much in the Christian Church. God does judge us in this life for our sins.
In summary, I find it unfortunate that scripture does not have a unique word for atonement of sins on judgement day vs. forgiveness of sins and the consequences of them in this age. I think many are confused when studying forgiveness if they do not consider the two places of God's wrath, first in this age and lastly on judgement day. I try to use atonement for the eternal consequences of sin and forgiveness for the earthly consequences of sin, but scripture interchanges the use of the words.
My answer to the OP question is that Jesus atoned for the eternal consequences of sin, we pray to God to forgive the earthly consequences of sin. The best support for my position is in Jesus words where he petitioned God the Father himself to forgive the soldiers that put him to death. Obviously, if they did not know what they were doing and never came to faith, their sins will be counted against them on judgement day, so Jesus had to be considering earthly consequences of them putting God's Son to death.
Feel free to disagree with my argument, but please then propose your answer to:
If Jesus died for all sins, why do we repeatedly pray to God for forgiveness?
I agree with Hebrews that Jesus' death atoned for all the sins of all that will ever be in heaven, those that lived before and after his life.
Hebrews 10:12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Further, I believe that Jesus with his action on the cross gives those with faith a credit of righteousness such that they will not be condemed on judgement day, but will receive eternal life.
Romans 4:23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone,24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Romans 5:21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So if all our sins have all been atoned for, why do we still need to be forgiven for them? I think one hint to the answer lies in how many times Jesus died vs. how many times we ask for forgiveness. Jesus died once. We pray repeatedly for forgiveness. Now consider there is only one "judgement day" but there are many days where people can be judged. I say the greatest part of Jesus death is the atonement of sins on judgement day such that the sins of the saved will not be remembered or counted against them.Romans 5:21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now a topic not discussed much in the Christian Church. God does judge us in this life for our sins.
Hebrews 12:4[ God Disciplines His Children ] In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
1 Corinthians 11:29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
So if we continue to sin in this age multiple times, we continue to pray multiple times for forgiveness such that if God does judge us with discipline, we will be "healed". Now the Catholics that hold to the importance of a last rite before someone dies will not buy into this explanation, but the millions of Catholics in heaven that died without their last sin forgiven by a priest refute their doctrine.“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
1 Corinthians 11:29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
In summary, I find it unfortunate that scripture does not have a unique word for atonement of sins on judgement day vs. forgiveness of sins and the consequences of them in this age. I think many are confused when studying forgiveness if they do not consider the two places of God's wrath, first in this age and lastly on judgement day. I try to use atonement for the eternal consequences of sin and forgiveness for the earthly consequences of sin, but scripture interchanges the use of the words.
My answer to the OP question is that Jesus atoned for the eternal consequences of sin, we pray to God to forgive the earthly consequences of sin. The best support for my position is in Jesus words where he petitioned God the Father himself to forgive the soldiers that put him to death. Obviously, if they did not know what they were doing and never came to faith, their sins will be counted against them on judgement day, so Jesus had to be considering earthly consequences of them putting God's Son to death.
Feel free to disagree with my argument, but please then propose your answer to:
If Jesus died for all sins, why do we repeatedly pray to God for forgiveness?