A Time for Redemption and Justification of Sinners

A Time for Redemption and Justification of sinners

Two judgmental attributes that we all will face at the Court of Christ.  It isn’t as though any of us will have the opportunity to plead our case since that was presented to each one while still on earth.  However, there may be some who will be surprised with the outcome of their individual mission that is pending due to a selfish attitude concerning the least among us.  

It will not be the sins we struggled with due to the weaknesses that constantly entrapped our needs that were foolish choices which condemns us.  It will be the many times our thoughts keep us away from praising and thanking the God of forgiveness.  Herein we might make ourselves a superficial entity when there is only one God.  

The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and mercy.  (cf CCC 1829). The fruit of mercy is the one that we all will look for while waiting for judgement.  Of course waiting is a non-concept since we shall all be in eternity where there is no element of time.  

“God created us without us; but he did not will to save us without us.”  To receive his mercy, we must admit our faults. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (CCC 1847).

Conversion requires convincing of sin; it includes the interior judgment of conscience, and this, being a proof of the action of the Spirit of truth in man’s inmost being, becomes at the same time the start of a new grant of grace and love.  “Receive the Holy Spirit .”  Thus in this “convincing concerning sin” we discover a double gift:  the gift of truth of conscience and the gift of redemption.  The Spirit of truth is the Consoler.  (CCC John Paul II).

Sin is an offense against God: “Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight.”  Sin sets itself against God’s love for us and turns our hearts away from it.  Like the first sin, it is disobedience, a revolt against God through the will to become “like gods,” knowing and determining good and evil.  Sin is thus “ love of oneself even to contempt of God.”  In is proud self-exaltation, sin is diametrically opposed to the obedience of Jesus, which achieves our salvation.  (CCC 1850).

Justification is the most excellent work of God’s love made manifest in Christ Jesus and granted by the Holy Spirit.  It is the opinion of St. Augustine that “the justification of the wicked is a greater work than the creation of heaven and earth,” because “heaven and earth will pass away but the salvation and justification of the elect will not pass away.”  He holds that the justification of sinners surpasses the creation of the angels in justice, in that it bears witness to a greater mercy.  (CCC 1994).

Ralph B. Hathaway