[Dr. Eckleburg]

Believers were reconciled by Christ's sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.

Rome struggles to mimic what has already been accomplished by our Savior.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." -- Romans 5:8-11

Believers "have received the atonement;" they have been justified by Christ's death and resurrection; their sins have been paid for in full and forgiven, and they NOW stand reconciled to God by Christ's work on the cross.

that's the Gospel which Rome obscures.

[Salvation]

God forgives the sins.

Please read the words of absolution slowly, emphasizing the highlighted word!

 

1449 The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:

God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and the resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.