Topical Bible: Pardon: Expressed by not Imputing Sin

◄ Pardon: Expressed by not Imputing Sin ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, pardon is a profound expression of God's grace and mercy, where He chooses not to impute sin to the believer. This concept is central to the Christian understanding of forgiveness and redemption, highlighting the transformative power of divine grace.

Biblical Foundation

The notion of pardon through non-imputation of sin is rooted in several key scriptural passages. One of the most significant is found in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Romans 4:7-8 , Paul quotes King David, saying, "Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." Here, the apostle underscores the blessedness of those who receive God's pardon, emphasizing that their sins are not counted against them.

This theme is further elaborated in 2 Corinthians 5:19 , where Paul writes, "God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them." This passage reveals the heart of the gospel message: through Christ's sacrificial work, God offers reconciliation by choosing not to impute sin to those who are in Christ.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the non-imputation of sin is closely linked to the doctrine of justification by faith. Justification is the act of God declaring a sinner righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. This declaration is possible because, in His grace, God does not count the believer's sins against them. Instead, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer, as articulated in 2 Corinthians 5:21 : "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

This exchange—Christ bearing the penalty of sin and believers receiving His righteousness—is central to understanding how pardon is achieved. It underscores the substitutionary atonement of Christ, where He takes upon Himself the sins of humanity, allowing believers to stand justified before God.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The concept of pardon through non-imputation is not limited to the New Testament. It is foreshadowed in the Old Testament, particularly in the sacrificial system and the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 16 describes the ritual of the scapegoat, where the high priest would lay hands on the goat, symbolically transferring the sins of the people onto it, and then send it into the wilderness. This act symbolized the removal of sin from the community, prefiguring the ultimate pardon through Christ.

Practical Application

For believers, the assurance of pardon through non-imputation of sin provides profound comfort and motivation for holy living. It assures them of their standing before God, not based on their own merit, but on the finished work of Christ. This assurance encourages a life of gratitude, obedience, and service, as believers seek to live in a manner worthy of the grace they have received.

Moreover, understanding this aspect of pardon fosters a spirit of forgiveness towards others. As God has forgiven and not counted their sins against them, believers are called to extend the same grace to those who wrong them, embodying the forgiveness they have experienced.

In summary, the pardon expressed by not imputing sin is a cornerstone of Christian theology, reflecting the depth of God's mercy and the transformative power of the gospel. Through Christ, believers are freed from the burden of sin, standing justified and reconciled before a holy God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 4:8
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

David's Cry for Pardon
... the perfect love of God perfectly expressed in His ... Him, to bribe Him, to buy pardon
by tears ... reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/davids cry for pardon.htm

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
... reconciled to God by a free pardon, but also ... of itself, or (as it is expressed) by
its ... Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of justification by.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... 9. This is more largely and particularly expressed in the Treatise on Justification ...
that moment we are accepted of God; and yet, not for the ... And pardon we claim ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 20 the lord our.htm

Divine Grace.
... When it is expressed by that word love, then it ... Grace can continue to pardon, favor,
and save ... reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/vi divine grace.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... works as the means of procuring pardon, but only ... which the Israelites then offered
were not regarded as ... from us is elegantly and briefly expressed by Hosea ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

Letter cxxvi. (AD 411. )
... I desire that they may obtain pardon in answer to ... promise, confirmed by oath, could
be expressed, because of ... Let us therefore not charge them gratuitously with ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxvi a d 411.htm

The Righteousness of Works Improperly Inferred from Rewards.
... Both things were elegantly expressed by the Apostle, when he told the Colossians
to study the offices of ... My readers will pardon me if I stay not to dispose ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the righteousness of.htm

Saved by Grace;
... his face from him (as he expressed, with great ... 3. He giveth pardon, and giveth more
grace, to ... reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/saved by grace.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... I believe also, That the power of imputing righteousness resideth ... a word to the dead;
but not only so ... it is, that calling is sometimes expressed by quickening ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

Examination of the Treatise
... goes out from it to sinners to pardon their sins ... acknowledge that the cause of faith
was not expressed, but that ... the mere will of God," but not "without respect ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/examination of the treatise.htm