THE BLOTTING OUT OF OUR TRANSGRESSIONS – Pastor Chris
Friday, February 8, 2019
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).
In many places where the word “forgiveness” is used, it should actually be translated “remission.” Remission means liberty, release, separation; it means letting the offence or offences go as though they never existed. Your error is treated as though it never happened; totally separated from you, and separated from your history. Can you imagine that?
Someone might wonder, “How can that be?” But that’s what we read in our opening verse; God did it according to the riches of His grace. That means God has the capacity to completely separate a man from his sins as though he never committed any sin, by virtue of the blood of Jesus Christ! That’s not forgiveness. Forgiveness is to pardon. In forgiveness, you’re released from punishment, even though the record remains that you were an offender.
Growing up as a young Christian, we were taught certain things that weren’t quite accurate. One of such teachings was that the sinner gets remission, while the Christian gets forgiveness. That is, when you’re born again, your sins are remitted, but afterwards, if you do anything wrong, you receive forgiveness.
But think about it: if the sinner gets remission and his sins are completely wiped out, never to be remembered, why is the Christian having his own sins on record? The Christian shouldn’t be getting something lesser than what the sinner got. What we have in Christ is remission of sins.
What then happens when you do something wrong? You’re automatically cleansed by the Blood of Jesus: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Thank you blessed Father, for your loving-kindness. You provided for the remission of sins for your children. I pray, therefore, that Christians all around the world would come to this knowledge and refuse to be held bound by the accusations of the enemy, as they walk in your grace and in your righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Romans 4:6-8; Hebrews 8:10-12; Hebrews 10:16-18
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 26:31-56 & Exodus 34-35
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 13:10-23 & Genesis 39
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