Is Forgiveness Unconditional?

Most people in our culture believe that forgiveness is unconditional by virtue of good intentions or death. So they say, “My intentions were harmless so surely God will forgive me” or “Because God is love, surely he will forgive me when I die.” Both of these cultural assumptions are unfounded in Scripture and not practiced in human relationships. For example, there are bitter widows who have never forgiven their husbands although their husband passed away years ago. Death does not automatically result in forgiveness. The same is true for good intensions. True forgiveness follows repentance, which is clearly depicted in the gospel. God sends his only Son to become a man, live a sinless life, and die as our substitute to “take away the sin on the world (Joh. 1:29).” So many incorrectly concluded from this verse, because they are part of this world, their sins must be washed away. Forgiveness is unconditional, but not automatic. It is unconditional only under one condition, that is, repentance. 

Summer at Midtown Church

It has been a great summer at Midtown! It always starts with a bitter-sweet month of May. We have to say goodbye to 90% of the college students for 3 months. But we are excited about their summer opportunities to grow spiritually. Many of them take off to Florida for the Orlando Project with Campus Outreach. Other students commit to cross-cultural projects to China or South Africa. The students who stay in Indy get to be a part of Summer in the City (Midtown’s Summer Project for college students), which has doubled in size since it began two years ago (about 46 students now). We are thankful to have more than 70 students at IUPUI and Butler who are committed to growing in their relationship with Christ and willing to advance the kingdom of God around the world.

At the Midtown campus, we launched four marriage groups in May to read and discuss The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller. Couples have responded enthusiastically. There is almost 100% participation from all of our married couples (almost 25 couples). People have appreciated the Christ-centered content and opportunity to grow in friendships. Some groups have grown because of participation from unexpected neighbors. These groups have been a huge summer highlight.

In a few weeks we will have another membership Sunday where we will introduce more than 20 new members to our Midtown congregation. Some of them became Christians in college through Campus Outreach’s ministry at IUPUI, but many others are new Christians since Midtown moved to the Broad Ripple area. One of our new members (James) works at Panera downtown and became friends with Phil who shared the gospel with him, brought him to church, and led him to Christ. Recently at church, James shared his testimony and was baptized. It was a really encouraging Sunday! Another example is Melissa who has been coming to Midtown for about a year. She grew up going to church and even had a family member who was a minister, but they never talked about Jesus. She met a member of our church who befriended her and brought her to church. Over the course of a year, she heard the gospel many times, and then finally surrendered her life to Christ a few months ago at our worship service. She said, “I finally gave Jesus control of my life.” I am overwhelmed with the grace of God and am constantly reminded that true life-changing power is in the gospel alone. I count it a privilege to be the pastor of Midtown!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Rom. 1:16)