When a Christian is asked how our sins are forgiven through Jesus, the common answer is: "By His blood, shed on the cross as a sacrifice on behalf of humanity." But what if I told you that someone was forgiven for their sins even before Christ actually died on the cross? This might sound surprising, but it is not my claim; it is what Jesus Himself said.
Mathew 9
Jesus got into a boat and went back across the lake to His own town. Some people brought to Him a man who was paralyzed and was lying on a mat. Jesus saw that these people had much faith. So He said to the paralyzed man, “Young man, you will be glad to hear this. Your sins are forgiven.”
Many have questions like, "How is it possible for sins to be forgiven before Jesus died?" or "How can sins be forgiven if the sacrifice has not been made and the blood has not been shed?"
To address these questions, Jesus spoke in Matthew 7. In this passage, some teachers of the law were offended by Jesus' words about forgiving sins. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, asked them why they were thinking such evil thoughts. He explained that the Son of Man has the power on earth to forgive sins, but He wanted to demonstrate this power.
He then asked, "What if I say to the man, ‘Stand up and walk’? Then you will know that I really have this power." He then commanded the paralyzed man to stand up, take his mat, and go home. The man obeyed, and the people were amazed, praising God for allowing someone to have such power.
So, Jesus had the power to forgive sins even before He died on the cross. He demonstrated this power by healing the paralyzed man, which showed His authority to forgive sins.
Now, you may wonder: "Wasn't forgiveness of sin supposed to come after the cross and after the bloodshed?" If that's the case, how could Jesus forgive sins before the sacrifice on the cross? Isn't that contradictory to what He said about the need for sacrifice?
You might then say, "Well, He's God—He can do anything." But let’s think about it: if someone believes that God will provide a way for all to enter His kingdom because He is all-powerful, that raises a challenging question. How can that be possible? If God can save all, then why does it seem like some people are destined for hell?
The question then arises: Which glorifies God more? Believing that God can save everyone or believing that He has chosen some for destruction? We must also keep in mind that God instructs us to love everyone, not to judge them.
John 3:17
For God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.
1 Timothy 2:4
This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
According to the Scriptures, God has the authority to do as He pleases, and His will is clear: He desires all His children to be saved. This is the very reason Jesus died for all.
God doesn’t need to bend any rules or be unjust to make this happen. We often think of God’s actions in legal terms, but His wisdom is above all human understanding. Just as Jesus fulfilled the law not by keeping it perfectly, but by loving others, the true purpose of the law is to teach us to love one another.
Matthew 7:12
Do for others what you would want them to do for you. This is the meaning of the Law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets.
Galatians 5:14
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
We come to believe in Jesus’ sacrifice after we witness the bloodshed on the cross. As fallen humans, our way is to first see and then believe. But God's way is different: He calls us to believe first, and then we will see.
We have to remember that God made everything out of nothing, so it follows that He believes first, and manifestation follows. The law of manifestation is that what is inside will manifest outside. But in our fallen state, we are often only sure after the action takes place.
Revelation 13:8
All who dwell on the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
Many people think that grace came after the law, but in truth, grace existed before the law. Everything came into existence through grace, even before the foundation of the world.
2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
God’s ways are more spiritual than natural because everything tangible must first manifest from the intangible. When we say God will make a way for everyone to enter His kingdom, we do so not based on our actions or deeds but on who God is and what He can do.
When we judge others about their eternal destination, we must ask ourselves: Would we, as parents, condemn one of our children while saving another? Would we plan destruction for one and blessings for the other?
You cannot do such a thing because of love. Yet, some claim that God does. If God is love, how could He plan to condemn some of His children to hell and save others?
God Is Love.
Think about it: A father instructs his two sons to do a job. One obeys and the other does not. When the father writes his will, he will split the inheritance equally between them because the relationship is based on the father's love, not the children's actions.
If your son is a sinner and your neighbor's son is righteous, would you give all your wealth to the righteous neighbor's son? No, you would give it to your own son, because the relationship is built on love, not on obedience. God loves us in the same way.
If God's plan were to destroy His children, then what would be the point of that plan? The ultimate purpose is love, and the thought of everyone being saved can only come from that love.
So, I boldly proclaim that everyone will be in heaven based on who our Father is. He has forgiven us all, and His love is stronger than our actions or shortcomings.
“You are forgiven, so go, and sin no more.”