How God's forgiveness works?

[fabio_rocha]

Sin has two ‘faces’: the guilt part and the penance/atonement part.

a) Why in the NT Jesus, when forgiving someone’s sins, never said like “but/by the way, do this ‘sacrifice’/penance”?

b) Jesus died on the cross for our sins, for our salvation. Are we talking about sin’s two ‘faces’ being removed or just the first one?

I’ve hear this comparasion: a boy is playing soccer outside and by mistake he kicks the ball and breaks the neighbour’s window. He goes there to say sorry to the owner and the owner says “Son, you’re forgiven, I’m not mad at you. But you have to replace the glass and pay the costs”.

Now, the boy represents us, breaking the glass is us sinning, the owner is God.

c) Why God doesn’t say “Son, you’re forgiven, I’m not mad at you. I’ll replace the glass and pay the costs”?

Purgatory: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still , are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (CCC 1030).

d) Doesn’t being in God’s grace assured of being totally purified?

 

[DavidFilmer]

a) Why in the NT Jesus, when forgiving someone’s sins, never said like “but/by the way, do this ‘sacrifice’/penance”?

Those whom Jesus forgave had already suffered because of their sin. It would be unjust to impose a second penalty.

b) Jesus died on the cross for our sins, for our salvation. Are we talking about sin’s two ‘faces’ being removed or just the first one?

I don’t understand this “two faces” analogy.

c) Why God doesn’t say “Son, you’re forgiven, I’m not mad at you. I’ll replace the glass and pay the costs”?

That would be merciful, but it would not be just. God is both merciful AND just.

d) Doesn’t being in God’s grace assured of being totally purified?

Being in God’s grace assures us that we will enter heaven. That does not mean we are totally purified. God will accept us even in as we are yet sinners, provided we avoid mortal sin. But, as you know, nothing unclean will enter into heaven (Rev 21:27), so there eventually has to be a reconciliation (that is, again, an example of God’s justice).

 

[Skye_Ariel]

It’s because sins can be forgiven but everything we do has consequences. God forgives the sins, but we still have to live with the consequences of the decisions we make and things we do. Being forgiven doesn’t mean to make it like it never happened. You are forgiven but the fact that it happened isn’t erased, that’s the reason for penance/atonement. Yes you broke the window, and you are truly sorry, I believe you, and I’m not mad at you, but the window is still broken and needs to be fixed.

 

[cargills112]

Those whom Jesus forgave had already suffered because of their sin. It would be unjust to impose a second penalty.

I don’t understand this “two faces” analogy.

That would be merciful, but it would not be just. God is both merciful AND just.

Being in God’s grace assures us that we will enter heaven. That does not mean we are totally purified. God will accept us even in as we are yet sinners, provided we avoid mortal sin. But, as you know, nothing unclean will enter into heaven (Rev 21:27), so there eventually has to be a reconciliation (that is, again, an example of God’s justice).

Thanks a lot. This was very helpful for me.