3. How to ask for forgiveness. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

1st John 1 9. I recall hearing one of my professors in seminaries say that one of the best

tests of a person's theology was the effect it has on our prayers. This struck me as true because

of what was happening in my own life. Noel and I had just been married and we were making it

our practice to pray together each evening. I noticed that during the biblical courses which were

shaping my theology most profoundly my prayers were changing dramatically. Probably the most

significant change in those days was that I was learning to make my case before God on the ground

of his glory, beginning with hallowed be thy name and ending with in Jesus' name meant that

the glory of God's name was the goal and the ground of everything I prayed. And what a strength

came into my life when I learned that praying for forgiveness should be based not only on an

appeal to God's mercy, but also on an appeal to his justice in crediting the worth of his son's

obedience. God is faithful and just and will forgive your sins. 1st John 1 9. In the New Testament,

the basis of all our forgiveness is revealed more clearly than it was in the Old Testament,

but the basis, namely God's commitment to his name, does not change. Paul teaches that the death of

Christ demonstrated God's righteousness in passing over sins and vindicated God's justice in

justifying the ungodly who banked on Jesus and not themselves. Romans 3, 25 to 26. In other words,

Christ died once for all to clear the name of God in what looks like a gross miscarriage of justice,

the acquittal of guilty sinners, simply for Jesus' sake. But Jesus died in such a way that

forgiveness for Jesus' sake is the same as forgiveness for the sake of God's name, his righteousness,

his justice is vindicated in the very act of providing such a God-honoring sacrifice.

As Jesus said, as he faced that last hour, now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say Father

saved me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour, Father, glorify your name.

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