The BIG Picture (Shorts)

[Matt.6:14-15]: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” In Christ’s earthly ministry to Israel, forgiveness was conditional. Under the Kingdom programme, the Jew was required to forgive others in order to receive forgiveness from the Father. This was covenantal law, tied to Israel’s obedience and preparation for the promised kingdom. But Paul reveals a mystery for the Body of Christ: forgiveness today is not conditional, nor earned by our actions. It is a settled reality, secured by the finished work of the cross. [Eph.4:32]: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” [Col.2:13]: “And you, being dead in your sins… hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” In Grace, forgiveness is complete and eternal. We do not forgive to be forgiven; we for...

COMMENT: “Salvation is conditional!” ANSWER: I do not argue that salvation is conditional. It certainly is, but that is in respect to the prophetic Kingdom program. As for the Grace program under mystery, all the conditions which were necessary for our salvation were accomplished through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, in essence, there were conditions for our salvation, but those conditions are not upon us to fulfil, because they have already been fulfilled by Christ. This is why our salvation is a FREE GIFT by the grace of God through Christ. In contrast, the currently suspended Kingdom program required conditions to be fulfilled by those believers as part of the works they need to prove their faith, Jam 2:17. All the above scriptures you quote, to prove conditional salvation, speak of conditions to do because all these scriptures refer to the prophetic Kingdom program. We do not belong to this program, so these scriptures do not apply to us. ______________ Joi...