What's at stake for God to forgive my sins today.

I John 2:12 - I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

The substitutionary punishment of Christ in place of sinners satisfied God -- it met His lawful demands and demonstrated His love for sinners. Thus He could impute (credit) Christ's righteousness to us.

If the offering up of the perfect lamb of God was not enough, or if God changes His mind, then it is His name that is at stake -- it would be His reputation rightfully called into question. He should not be trusted or believed or loved or worshipped. He could be ignored as one of the other gods of our imaginations. But the heavenly Father is satisfied and those who believe are declared righteous; the proof is in the resuurection (Romans 4:25). Christ did rise from the dead (unlike all the other blood sacrifices offered up for the covering of sins - Hebrews 9:11-14) and right now He is seated at the right hand of God.

So, when I sin today (and I will -- at this mountain elevation it's rather common), my response is to confess what I know of my sins. It is the Father's job to consider those sins paid for by His Son and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. That's the righteous thing for Him to do (I John 1:9). Hallowed be His name.

What a gospel.

-- TWMathis