a) The Forgiveness of Sin, and the Removal of Its Guilt and
Punishment.
It is difficult for us to understand God's feeling towards sin.
To us forgiveness seems easy, largely because we are indifferent
towards sin. But to a holy God it is different. Even men sometimes
find it hard to forgive when wronged. Nevertheless God gladly
forgives.
Micah 7:18,19--"Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity,
and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he
retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy .
. . . he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their
sins into the depths of the sea." See also Psa. 130:4. What a
wondrous forgiveness!
Forgiveness may be considered as the cessation of the moral anger
and resentment of God against sin; or as a release from the guilt
of sin which oppresses the conscience; or, again, as a remission
of the punishment of sin, which is eternal death.
In Justification, then, all our sins are forgiven, and the guilt
and punishment thereof removed (Acts 13:38, 39; Rom. 8:1). God sees
the believer as without sin and guilt in Christ (Num. 23:21; Rom.
8:33, 34).
b) The Imputation of Christ's Righteousness, and Restoration to
God's Favor.
The forgiven sinner is not like the discharged prisoner who has
served out his term and is discharged from further punishment, but
with no rights of citizenship. No, justification means much more
than acquittal. The repentant sinner receives back in his pardon,
the full rights of citizenship. The Society of Friends called
themselves Friends, not because they were friends one to another
but because, being justified, they counted themselves friends of
God as was Abraham (2 Chron. 20:7, James 2:23). There is also the
imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ to the sinner. His
righteousness is "unto all and upon all them that believe" (Rom.
3:22). See Rom. 5:17-21; 1 Cor. 1:30. For illustration, see Philemon
18.