nPeace
Veteran Member
Seems like Frank doesn't know what he thinks either.Good so that means you know what you think.
Tell me what you think then.
Should God pardon the human race based on the fact that they repent... should they now be exempt from death? How can God do that, without breaking the law written in his "law book"? Should God rewrite his laws? What would doing so say about God's authority as ruler?
So rather than leave the question hanging...
God explicitly stated his law. Death was the penalty for sin - disobedience to God.
Because Adam missed the mark of God's righteous standards, he could only pass on sin and death to his offspring. Not one of them could be righteous before God, and none of them could be free from the wages of sin - death.
God could not reverse that, simply by going against his law.
He thus made a way that man could be pardoned, and gain freedom.
That way out, was to provide a ransom.- a price paid to buy back or to bring about release from some obligation or undesirable circumstance.
Jesus took the place of all mankind. He paid the price, and died that they might live - the real life - free of sin and death.
God thus demonstrated his love, wisdom and justice, also his power. He balanced these perfectly.
Since Jesus' death was not permanent, and his and God's pain was temporary... ours will be too. Nothing was lost, but everything was gained. - 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Right now, God can declare people righteous, because the price was paid.