God’s forgiveness is universal, unconditional, and already accomplished for all humanity. The Gospel is not about what could be if one believes, but about what already is because of God's love and Christ’s work.
This is the simple, scandalous, and historic version of the gospel that was taught by the early church, up until Augustine in about 400AD.
Forgiveness Is Already a Fact — Not an Offer
The Gospel is not a conditional offer. It’s not God saying, “If you believe, I will forgive you.” That kind of message implies that forgiveness is something held back, waiting to be released by our faith or repentance — as if God's posture toward us depends on our response.
But that’s not the Gospel. The truth is this: in Christ, forgiveness is already accomplished. It is a finished reality (John 1:29; Hebrews 10:10, 14). The cross wasn’t a potential deal. It was the full and final unveiling of God’s heart — a heart that has always been moving toward humanity in love (Romans 5:8). Jesus didn’t come to change God's mind about us. He came to reveal God’s mind toward us — and that mind is mercy (Luke 6:36; Titus 3:4–5).
Faith doesn’t create forgiveness — it receives it. Faith doesn’t persuade God to love us — it allows us to step into the truth that we already are loved (Ephesians 1:4–7). Forgiveness was never transactional. It’s always been relational. It flows from who God is (Exodus 34:6–7).
Imagine a mother grieving because she believes her son has died. Someone brings her undeniable proof that he’s alive and well. The moment she believes it, her sorrow breaks and joy returns. Her belief doesn’t make him alive — he already is. But until she believes it, she can’t experience the peace of that reality. Her faith doesn’t earn the good news — it lets her experience it.
The same is true for us. God’s forgiveness isn’t triggered by our belief — it’s already extended (2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:20–22). But without trusting that, we continue to live in fear, guilt, and separation that only exist in our perception. That’s why faith matters: not because it makes the pardon real, but because it lets us be healed by it (John 8:32).
The Gospel is not an offer. It’s a declaration:
You are forgiven. You are loved. You are reconciled.
And believing it doesn’t make it true — it makes it real for you.
Faith Isn’t a Ticket to Forgiveness — It’s How We Experience It
Faith doesn’t trigger forgiveness. It’s not a pass we hand in at the gate to receive pardon. Forgiveness was never waiting on us. It was already accomplished in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19). We’re not forgiven because we believe — we believe because we’ve already been forgiven (Colossians 2:13–14).
The cross didn’t create a potential future — it revealed a present and eternal reality. God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself, not counting our sins against us (2 Corinthians 5:19). The good news is not about what could be. It’s about what is. Faith doesn’t make it true — faith allows us to step into the healing, peace, and joy of what’s already true (Romans 5:1; John 8:32).
Imagine someone burdened with shame and guilt, convinced they’re condemned. Then they hear the truth: the sin is already dealt with, and they are fully loved and accepted (Romans 8:1; Ephesians 1:7). The moment they believe it, peace floods in. Not because belief created the pardon, but because faith opened the door to let it in (Hebrews 10:22).
God’s forgiveness isn’t earned. It doesn’t begin when we believe — it began at the cross, “while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:10). Faith doesn’t qualify us — it awakens us. It doesn’t change God’s heart — it transforms ours.
So no, faith isn’t a transaction or a key to unlock a reluctant God’s mercy. It’s the means by which we finally live in what has always been ours (Ephesians 2:8–9; John 3:17). It’s not a requirement to be forgiven — it’s the way we begin to breathe in the life that forgiveness brings.
Much love
Andrew
