Christ has suffered for them every one. There may be suffering, but
there can be no just punishment for sin, either in this life or
the next.
But then, there is the necessity for purification. And suffering is made
by divine grace to serve that end. We can well conceive then that there
are all grades of suffering, and all grades of the duration of
suffering, in the next life. It is no contradiction of this idea, but
rather a confirmation of it, that very much of this suffering is the
result of former sin. Indeed, when we see, even in this life, how often
that suffering is a result of sin, yet is a means of purification, we
can well believe that it will so operate in the next life, and on a
larger scale.
Sinners of every grade require just two things; Forgiveness and
Holiness. That is, a title to heaven, and a fitness for it. Let us see
how these two things are acquired, and if either of them demands eternal
punishment.
Justification is acquired by the death of Christ, and by that alone. "He
died for our sins," "He was wounded for our transgressions." "The Lord
laid on Him the iniquity of us all." "We are justified freely by his
blood." That is the one reason and ground for forgiveness. So then,
whether men know it or not, they are forgiven. It is the merit of Christ
that counts, and that alone.
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