Dear Pastor Jackson,
I received a response from a WELS Official.
He did not answer my question!
He teaches the atonement is the same as Objective Justification?
He teaches Justification By Faith is the same as Subjective Justification?
He
teaches those who reject forgiveness are eternally lost? I think he
means those who reject universal forgiveness prior to and without faith
are eternally lost.
In Christ,
Tom Fisher
Dear Tom Fisher ,
A recent question you submitted to WELS has a response. Please view the details below.
Date submitted: Sat Mar 16 2024
Subject: Justification
Question/Comment:
I read the following statement on your web site:
"The Bible and Lutherans teach that God judged all sinners righteous in his sight when Jesus Christ died on the cross for us."
Does this statement teach that God has already judged all sinners righteous in his sight prior to and without faith?
In Christ,
Tom Fisher
"The Bible and Lutherans teach that God judged all sinners righteous in his sight when Jesus Christ died on the cross for us."
Does this statement teach that God has already judged all sinners righteous in his sight prior to and without faith?
In Christ,
Tom Fisher
Answer:
Dear Mr. Fisher,
When Jesus died on the cross, his sacrifice paid for the sins of the whole world. This is what we have historically referred to as "objective justification." I can say to anyone, Jesus paid the full price for your sins and won God's forgiveness for you."
When a person is brought to faith in Jesus by the Holy Spirit, then that forgiveness won by Jesus is obtained by that person. This is what we have referred to as "subjective justification."
Even though the sins of the whole world have been paid for, some (many) reject that forgiveness through unbelief, so they remain in their sins and will ultimately lose the forgiveness that Jesus won for them.
Yours in Christ, WELS Official
When Jesus died on the cross, his sacrifice paid for the sins of the whole world. This is what we have historically referred to as "objective justification." I can say to anyone, Jesus paid the full price for your sins and won God's forgiveness for you."
When a person is brought to faith in Jesus by the Holy Spirit, then that forgiveness won by Jesus is obtained by that person. This is what we have referred to as "subjective justification."
Even though the sins of the whole world have been paid for, some (many) reject that forgiveness through unbelief, so they remain in their sins and will ultimately lose the forgiveness that Jesus won for them.
Yours in Christ, WELS Official
