What is…
God’s pardon and its even greater importance when combined with justification?

This is the forgiveness of sins…

granted freely

“I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake,
And I will not remember your sins. —Isaiah 43:25

readily

For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving,
And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. —Psalm 86:5

…But You are a God of lavish forgiveness,
Gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness;
And You did not forsake them. —Nehemiah 9:17 excerpt

abundantly

Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to Yahweh,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon. —Isaiah 55:7 LSB

Now the Law came in so that the transgression would increase, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more —Romans 5:20

Pardon is an act of a sovereign, in pure sovereignty, granting simply a remission of the penalty earned by one’s sin, but securing neither honor nor reward to the pardoned.

Justification, on the other hand, is the act of a judge, and not of a sovereign, and includes pardon and, at the same time, a title to all the rewards and blessings promised in the covenant of life. Thus one is ulimately given eternal life in paradise with God.

More information

Article Version: March 19, 2026