God's Forgiveness

There seems to be this perception that God has this power in which He can simply pardon us of our sins. This idea that Christ came to the Earth and shed His blood on the cross so that our sins could be washed away and that we are saved because of His sacrifice. 

The atonement of Christ does not remove our sins. Repentance is the only thing that cleans us. Christ's atonement makes this possible. It provides a way in which we can do all we can and He can help us. Without His atonement we would be condemned without hope. But we still have to repent and turn to Him. This idea that we can simply call on His name and be forgiven is a false doctrine that is one of the very things that will prevent us from repenting. We have to take upon us His name, which means we have to become like Him. 

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23

God is a very loving God. He cares very deeply about us and wants to help us. His love is deeper than what we really understand, and His existence is completely committed to our growth and success. He wants us to have what he has. 

That being said, in order to have what he has we must learn to overcome our fallen nature. We must give up our egos, our pride, our selfishness. We have to learn to love as He does. God is ready and willing to forgive us and He always loves us, but that does not change our characters or remove the consequences of our actions. 

Christ came to Earth to show us how to be loving and forgiving. He came to show us how to walk in righteousness so that we can overcome our natural tendencies. By following His examples and teaching we can become like Him and share in His glory.  That is what He desires for us. 

The idea of universal, unconditional forgiveness is false. In order to become a glorified being you must overcome the things that hold you back. God will not force us to be righteous. He will not force us to be loving. If we want to take part in what He has to offer, we must follow the path that leads to it. God is waiting with open arms for us to choose Him.