In the Old Testament, there are 3 words for “forgiveness.” Guess what? All 3 are conditional upon repentance!
This makes sense when you remember that Israelites sacrificed animals and shed their blood for the remission of their sins. God is JUST. He must punish sin and disobedience. There is no other way! We all want justice when someone murders our loved one or when someone steals from us!
We all want grace when WE are guilty ourselves. Our sins are covered by the blood of Christ – not by our own good deeds of repentance. That’s why repentance apart from Christ is NOT enough! We must repent in Christ and trust in His perfect sacrifice offered for our sins.
Hebrews 9:22 states: “ Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” –The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001 (electronic ed.). Good News Publishers: Wheaton.
-Mark (forgiveness in Christ is a sweet delight for me – special thanks to Jason for the reminder of that verse)