The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Who can be pardoned?

Why does it have to be "either/or" and not "both/and"?

It seems to me that Scripture upholds BOTH. In Eph. 1 thru 3, Paul reveals the eternal plan of God to reconcile to Himself a people who He intended to be "holy and without blame before Him", etc. (our present justification & our future glorification) AND in chapters 4-6, we learn of our odious depravity and the challenge to put off the "old man" and put on the "new man". (the necessity and way of sanctification) We see this pattern in nearly all of Paul's Epistles. Perhaps another example. In Rom. 1 thru 7 we see the incomprehensible depth of our depravity and lingering sin. And in chapters 8-16, the glory of our justification and the freedom it brings to those in Christ, in Whom there is no longer condemnation.

Even the Ten Commandments display the same pattern, for God first, in the prologue declares Himself to be the One who brought Israel out of the bondage of Egypt (symbolic of our bondage in sin) and into the freedom of the promised (symbolic of the kingdom of God). It is AFTER we are reminded from whence we came does He then set forth the way in which we are to live before Him and with our co-recipients of that redemptive grace.

I also see Paul speaking in terms of this "both/and" pattern, when he, at the very end of his life declares himself to be the "chief of sinners" (1Tim 1:15). Yet, he also speaks of of himself as being one God has shown mercy v. 16.

Perhaps one more example... the Lord Christ came to save "sinners" and not the "righteous". This salvation is an ongoing process and consists of several "steps", as you well know: predestination, election, calling, justification, sanctification and final glorification. It isn't just the unregenerate who are called to repentance and faith, albeit for them it is unto justification. It is equally applicable for believers to repent of their sins and growth in faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Self-examination can lead a believer to despair IF one only focuses upon the truth of that sin which remains within us. Never looking inward but only to Christ can lead one into complacency and a shallow faith. So, it is both necessary to see "how great my sins and misery" are... AND.... how inexplicable is the grace which has delivered us from that sin and misery in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Perhaps that is why I so love Luther's little phrase:

<p align="center"><font size="5">[color:"purple"]simul iustus et peccator[/color]</font></p>
In His Grace,