The sinner needs both forgiveness and justification. God alone can pardon and justify. Listen to His Word.
The Great Proclamation.
“Be it known unto you... that through this Man (Christ Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him, all that believe are justified from all things,” and so on.
Acts 13:38, 39.
My reader, if truly you do believe, you may know, on the authority of the Word of Him who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), that your sins are forgiven, and you are justified from all things. God says what He means, and means what He says. Take Him at His Word. Note carefully, it is not all that do, or work, or try, or feel, or hope, but all that believe. And does it add, “hope to be justified,” or “shall be justified if”? No; but, “All that believe are justified.”
Believe—Are.
They are inseparable. God linked them together, and all the power of Satan and man cannot rend them asunder. “It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth” (Rom. 8:33, 34). “All that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:39)—from all that you have been, or done, or are; from sins, iniquities, transgressions, offenses, failures, short-comings, all things.
“Little children... your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” 1 John 2:12.
“Being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24.
“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:7, 8.