Does Willful Sin Exclude One from Pardon?
No; we firmly believe that there is no passage that excludes him from pardon. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews (who, by the way, was probably not Paul), simply taught that there was no further sacrifice for sin than that which had been offered in the person of Christ. (See Heb. 10:26.) He was writing to Hebrews, who, under the old dispensation, could bring another sin-offering when they sinned again. The Christian must revert to the cross, for there remained no other atonement, and if he put that away from him, he was without resource. The backslider who sincerely repents is encouraged to return and is sure of welcome. It is the one imperative duty he is bound to perform. Peter, who denied his Lord, was tenderly welcomed. The wicked member mentioned in I Corinthians, you will see if you look to the second epistle (II Cor. 2:7), was to be forgiven and comforted. As a father receives a beloved child, who goes to him with confession and repentance, so God will receive the Christian who has fallen, but has renounced his sin and humbly pleads for forgiveness through Christ.
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