December 8

‘For by one offering He hath perfected them that are sanctified.’ – Hebrews 10:14
The power of Christ’s Atonement for Man’s sins on the Cross cannot be understated. His sacrifice is the sole reason that we are forgiven. As stated by OC, ‘Through the Cross, Christ has made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.’ The Cross has given life to Man in a world where all else is death.
However sin, being self-centric in nature, will even try to pervert this truth by a spurious association of our own feelings of guilt in relation to our sin.
It seems to be a common misconception that we are forgiven because we feel sorry for our sins. To make personal guilt and accountability the sole requisite to forgiveness is to deny the miracle of Christ’s sacrifice. The Atonement is the ONLY act that reinstates us to God. Repentance is simply our response to being convicted of sin.
So, what about repentance? Is it unnecessary to repent of our sins since the gift of forgiveness has already been given for all time?
No. Repentance is necessary. Failing to do so produces barriers in us, which keep us from God. Repentance reminds us daily of God’s law and (hopefully) prevents us from continuing to be in conflict with it. Furthermore, repentance is necessary in order to keep our Temples clean. Remember that the Holy Spirit cannot move about freely in our cluttered Temples any more than we can move about freely in a cluttered house.
Repentance is the product of our acceptance of our own fallibility and the desire to make a worthy home for Christ in our hearts. Once we have given Christ quarter, it is difficult to not abide His law. Forgiveness is not contingent on repentance, but a right relationship with Christ is.
God’s power of forgiveness transcends Earthly judgments or even Man’s inadequacies. He has forgiven the murderer the same as the pious man. His forgiveness is an outreach into a troubled physical world. Repentance is Man’s expression of his desire to reach back.