Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
(Psalms 106:8 KJV)
“A Just God and a Saviour”
Isaiah 45:21
The Lord our God, the one true and living God of heaven and earth, is a God who freely and abundantly forgives sin through the blood of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what God himself says, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”
The People Forgiven
Who are the people to whom God will be merciful? They are not good, righteous, and morally upright men and women. So long as a man thinks that he is good and righteous, he will never obtain mercy from God. The characters to whom God says he will be merciful are sinners. The grace and lovingkindness of Jehovah is reserved for sinners. Until you see that your supposed righteousness is an abomination to God, you will never obtain the righteousness of God in Christ (Romans 10:1-4). Every promise of the gospel is made to sinners. — “The Son of man came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 11:28-30; Isaiah 1:4-6, 18; 55:6-7). The grace and mercy of God is for sinners. Christ died for sinners. The gospel is sent to sinners. God saves sinners. God forgives sinners. I rejoice to tell you that our God is a God of mercy (Psalm 103:8-14). There is mercy in Christ and forgiveness for sinners.
Mercy’s Deed
Mercy’s great deed is the blessed forgiveness of sin. It is the glory of grace to forgive sin. It is the majesty of mercy to forgive sin. It is the character of God to forgive iniquity and transgression, and sin (Exodus 34:5-7). God is the only one who can forgive sin. God’s forgiveness is the only forgiveness we need, desire, and must have for the salvation of our souls and the peace of our troubled consciences (Psalm 130:3-4).
Just Forgiveness
How does God forgive sin? There is only one way for a holy and just God to forgive sin. — God can only forgive sin through the obedience and sacrifice of an all-sufficient Substitute. God’s forgiveness must be a just forgiveness. Justice must be satisfied, or sin cannot be forgiven. The Lord Jesus Christ is that Substitute by whom divine justice has been satisfied! In him, and only in him, is there forgiveness with God (Romans 3:23-26; 1 John 1:9). In Christ he who is our God is both “a just God and a Savior.”
The Reason
Why does God forgive sin? He says, “for mine own sake!” The greatest honor and glory of God is his mercy, his holy, righteous, and just mercy in forgiving sin (Psalm 106:8; Ezekiel 16:62-63).
Never Remembered
What is the promise which God makes to sinners whose sins are forgiven by him? What a promise this is! — “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions, and will not remember thy sins.” There are some things God himself cannot do. He cannot lie. He cannot break his covenant. He cannot forsake his people. He cannot be unjust. He cannot remember the sins of his people. I do not mean that God is not aware of the fact that we have sinned. I mean that in so far as his law and justice are concerned, our sins do not exist; therefore, God cannot remember them. He will never remember our sins so as to treat us any the less graciously because of them. He will never remember our sins so as to bring them up and require payment for them while we live. God will not remember our sins when we stand before Him in judgment (Jeremiah 50:20). God will not remember our sins in the distribution of his heavenly crowns and gifts.
Would you be forgiven of all your sins? Then confess your sin, and put God in remembrance of this promise. — “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified” (Isaiah 43:25-26).
Don Fortner (Daily readings 25 June 2013)
For the Love of His Truth 
PETER WAS NOT THE FIRST POPE BECAUSE……..
Peter was not the first Pope because he did not believe that unrepentant atheists were redeemed.
Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; (NASB)
Acts 3:19 Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord.(The Living Bible—Paraphrased)
Peter did not believe in universal salvation. Peter believed Jesus was the only way.
Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), Quoted May 22, 2013, “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone!”Father , the atheists?” Even the atheists. Everyone!……”But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist! But do good: We will meet one another there.”
The apostle Peter was not the first Pope because he never referred to himself as the Chief Shepherd.
1 Peter 5:1-4 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder…..4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peter said he was a fellow elder. Peter never claimed to be the head of the elders. He cited Jesus as the Chief Shepherd. Peter did not believe that he, himself, was the great Shepherd. Jesus was and is the great Shepherd.
Peter was not the first Pope because he refused to be worshiped. He did not have men kiss his ring nor let them bow down in acts of worship.
Acts 10:25-26 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.”
Peter considered himself to be a man. He did not think he was another God on earth.
Peter was not the first Pope because he had a mother-in-law.
Matthew 8-14 When Jesus came into Peter’s home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. 1 Corinthians 9:5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife alone with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?(John 1:42 Cephas=Peter).
Peter was not the first Pope because he did not credit himself as being the Holy See.
Ephesians 1:20-23 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right in heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church….
God the Father placed Jesus as head of the church. Peter was never nor will he ever be head of the church. Peter was not the Holy See.
Peter was not the first Pope because he was not infallible. Peter had to be rebuked by the apostle Paul.
Galatians 2:11-21But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned……..14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?…………
Paul had to rebuke Peter for perverting the gospel, because Peter was agreeing with the Judaizers. Peter was not Paul’s superior.
Peter was not the first Pope because he never claimed to be Lord God the Pope.
Peter was not the first Pope because never said that no man could receive salvation unless they were in subjection to him.
Peter was not the first Pope because he never assigned the title of the Most Holy to himself.
Peter was not the first Pope because never designated himself as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Peter was not the first Pope because he never indicated that he was the Chief Pastor.
Peter was not the first Pope because he did not believe he had the authority to delete Scriptures.
Peter was not the first Pope because he never thought that he was the head of the church of Christ.
JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH!
Colossians 1:13-19 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins…….18 He is also head of the body, the church……….
God placed Jesus Christ as the head of the church. Peter was never the head of the body of Christ. No man has been, nor is any man head of the church of Christ.
PETER WAS NOT THE FIRST POPE BECAUSE—There is no office of Pope mentioned in the Bible.
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