Sins Forgiven Past Present Future

Sins forgiven past, present and future - I think not! This is a misconception that is a product of the Penal Substitution theory of the atonement, and NOT a biblical doctrine click here to see the views of the atonement.  What the bible does say is that Christ's death forgave the sins previously committed or He had passed over former sins.(Romans 3:25 and 2 Peter 1:9) but for those of us - Christ's death is the grounds by which God can forgive our sins. In Colossians 2:13 it says "...having forgiven us all our transgressions"; but I don't see this as saying past, present, and future - especially the sins that we haven't committed yet. How can God forgive a sin that hasn't been committed yet? Forgive means to remit or send away; it is impossible to send something away that has not yet happened or doesn't as of yet exist.

The sufferings and death of Christ was the grounds of our atonement by which God can then pardon or forgive the sinner when he or she comes to Christ in faith. Ephesians 1:7 says "...in Him we have forgiveness of sins", but we still have come to God in confession and repentance. 1 John 1:9 says "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness". First John was written to Christians, the purpose can be found in chapter 2 verse 1 "My children I am writing these things that you may not sin..." Unfortunately many Christians will take 1 John 1:8 and apply that to the Christian life. They will claim that God expects Christians to sin; however, John was not writing about the Christian life in chapter 1 but he was addressing the Gnostic teaching that claimed that there is no sin. Anything to justify a sinful lifestyle - I hear this Sunday after Sunday, pastors justifying their sinful lives with scriptures such as 1 John 1:8. Paul told us in Romans 6 that we are no longer under law but grace; therefore sin shall not have dominion over us. If you are a Christian you need to submit yourselves as slaves to righteousness rather than sin.

Consider when Stephen was being stoned he said in Acts 7:60 "Lord don't hold this sin against them". doesn't this logically imply that God is still holding men accountable for their sins - even under the new covenant? If we don't interpret the vague scriptures such as Colossians 2:13, by the other more clear scriptures; we will be faced with a contradiction or falsehood. Since Acts 7:60, Ephesians 1:7, and 1 John 1:9 clearly teach that God is still forgiving sins. We must take Colossians 2:13 to be addressing the sins that we have committed in the past.