The Redemption By Christ Gives License to Sin

Rebuttal: Pro: {"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3 v 16.} Were we to take this one sentence from Christ to the exclusion of all others, it would seem to give license to sin. However, even before we see that He Himself has shown that was not the meaning, we know if we truly wish to serve God, that nothing would give us license to offend Him. I would redirect to the statements of Christ shown in Round #2. When all of these statements are taken together and all are admittedly true, they must have a reasonable meaning in which all can hold true. Thus, when Christ said God gave his only begotten son that those who believe in him would not perish, we must, in light of everything he said, expect this belief is accompanied by enough knowledge of Him to make us desire to do good, rather than look for permission to sin. “Afterwards, Jesus findeth him in the temple, and saith to him: Behold thou art made whole: sin no more, lest some worse thing happen to thee.” (1) These cures were not performed for the sake of some circus show. Their aim was twofold: 1st, to show His power and authority in speaking, and 2nd, to provide a spiritual lesson. The lesson above is that when once cured (of sin), we are to sin no more, lest some worse thing (damnation) happen to us. After Christ’s death, as early as St. Paul, it is taught that the redemption does not give license to sin. “What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” (2) This unambiguously contradicts the notion that we may now sin, as Christ has paid for it in advance. Another clear text from Christ, showing the punishment which awaits those, even who believe in Him, but obey not His law: “For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou Fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. Be at agreement with thy adversary betimes, whilst thou art in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body be cast into hell.” (3) In the first line, He warns with the punishment of loss of Heaven for lack of justice. This has no bearing on belief in Him. He goes on to enumerate several faults which can exist alongside belief in Him, and can lead to hell. Argument: It is inconceivable with the notion of a just God that He would wish to unleash the evil into the world of mankind licensed to commit every imaginable evil without any consequence. The complete anarchy and abuse of man by man as a result could not have possibly been His goal. The fruit of His redemptive work is available to all who avail themselves of it by making every effort to leave off sin and do good daily, as He commanded those who wish to follow Him. Judas Iscariot, one of His twelve apostles, who betrayed Him the night before His death, believed in Him. Yet hear was Christ said regarding this one who believed in Him, but died unrepentant: “While I was with them, I kept them in thy name. Those whom thou gavest me have I kept; and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture may be fulfilled.” (4) To the Christian this is irrefutable proof that Judas was lost despite belief in Christ. * 1. John 5:14 2. Romans 6:15 3. Matthew 5:20-30 4. John 17:12 *Scriptural references are sourced from drbo.org, the online copy of the Douay-Rheims Bible