Dear Editors,

I write this apology in response to my letter that was published in the November 15, 2022, issue of the Sword & Shield. I am thankful to Reverend Langerak for explaining to me where I erred in his thorough response to my letter. I am also sorry for the spirit of pride that was evident in my letter.

I also want to make it clear that I do not believe that we are justified by repentance. I believe that we have forgiveness without repentance because God saved us in eternity before we were born or had shed one tear of repentance. Also, if salvation depended on the believer’s repentance, salvation would be impossible. Man would rather perish in hell than repent of his sins.

Thus, rather than being justified by faith and repentance, we are justified by faith alone. As we read in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” We are justified without works, including the good work of repentance. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, also makes clear the distinction between faith and repentance:

Paul says in the Acts, as to his “testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Acts 20:21). Here he mentions faith and repentance as two different things. What then? Can true repentance exist without faith? By no means. But although they cannot be separated, they ought to be distinguished. As there is no faith without hope, and yet faith and hope are different, so repentance and faith, though constantly linked together, are only to be united, not confounded. 

Later in the Institutes, Calvin states “That repentance not only always follows faith, but is produced by it, ought to be without controversy.” Though repentance is closely connected to faith, repentance is only a fruit of faith. Repentance is a gift that God has given to his people out of love and that he alone accomplishes in the believer’s heart. Since repentance is only a fruit of faith, it does not save us. 

I also believe that God always has favor for his people. This love is eternal and determined his unconditional election of his church. As we read in Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” If God were to hate us for one moment, God’s justice would require that he condemn us.

I also understand that salvation is not dependent on my forgiving of the neighbor. God chose me from all eternity before I had done one thing, whether good or evil. As we read in 1 John 4:10-11, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” Thus, it is only because God has first loved me in forgiving my sins that I can forgive my neighbor.

I am sorry especially for the statement that Christ’s death on the cross was an “abstract reality.” In doing so, I denied that salvation was already fully accomplished by Christ’s death and resurrection 2,000 years ago.

I love the gospel, and I do not seek to lead God’s people astray by teaching false doctrine. I realize that there is much I must still learn about the truth. I pray that the Lord will give me the wisdom and understanding to grow in the knowledge of this precious truth.

I ask that you might honor my request that my letter in the November 15, 2022, issue of the Sword & Shield be retracted.

Humbly in Christ,

Jacob Moore

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RESPONSE

Jacob, your letter is a breath of fresh air. I thank God for it. Not only do you display a humble spirit that is willing to be taught by the word of God, but also you very powerfully and beautifully confess the sound doctrine of the glorious gospel of salvation. We gladly print this letter at your request, and it will stand as the last word on the things that you wrote previously. May God give all of us such contrite hearts.

And therefore we always hold fast this foundation, ascribing all the glory to God, humbling ourselves before Him, and acknowledging ourselves to be such as we really are, without presuming to trust in any thing in ourselves, or in any merit of ours, relying and resting upon the obedience of Christ crucified alone, which becomes ours when we believe in Him. This is sufficient to cover all our iniquities, and to give us confidence in approaching to God; freeing the conscience of fear, terror, and dread, without following the example of our first father, Adam, who, trembling, attempted to cover himself with fig leaves. And, verily, if we should appear before God, relying on ourselves or on any other creature, though ever so little, we should, alas! be consumed. And therefore every one must pray with David: O Lord, enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. (Belgic Confession 23, in Confessions and Church Order, 51–52)