YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN YOU
By John C. Carpenter
One of Jesus' original twelve disciples, John, wrote probably to Christian
communities around Ephesus, My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins
of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not
his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected:
hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Brethren, I write
no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have
heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is
past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He
that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in
darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. I write unto you,
little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake (1 John 2:1-12).
SIN AND FORGIVENESS
When the scriptures
talk about sin and forgiveness, what does this mean? In verse 12 of our subject verses, the word sins is translated from the Greek
word hamartia, which means offense, to miss the mark and not share in the prize, to offend, trespass, to err, sin, or be sinful. The
word forgiven is translated from the Greek word aphiemi, which means to send forth, to go, forgive, forsake, lay aside, let alone,
omit, put or send away, to remit, or to yield up. When God the Father forgives our sins, it means He lays aside, forsakes, puts away,
and remits our offenses, trespasses, and errors. As the scriptures define it, sin is the transgression [Greek, anomia, illegality,
violation of, iniquity, lawlessness, or unrighteousness regarding the standards of the law] of the law (1 John 3:4), and in order
for there to be sin, there must be law outlining various standards which carry the potential to be broken or disobeyed. As John taught,(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed [Greek, ellogeo, in the sense of put on an account, to reckon in,
or attribute to] when there is no law (Romans 5:13). More simply put, without standards provided in, through, and by the law, there
can be no breaking or violations of those legal standards, because there are no legal standards to break. Therefore, without law,
there can be no sin, and with the law, sin was apparent.
THE PURPOSE OF THE MOSAIC LAW
Why did God create and establish
the Jewish law in the first place? There are several biblical reasons God established the Jewish, or Mosaic, law; but in order to
not get off topic, we shall mention only a few more important ones. First, the Mosaic law was designed to reveal the holy character
of the eternal and only God to the nation of Israel (Lev 19 and 20). Second, the law was to set apart the nation of Israel as distinct
from all other nations (Exodus 19). Third, the law was intended to reveal the weaknesses and sinfulness of man (Galatians 3), while,
fourth, the law was good and holy (Rom 7), but it did not provide salvation for the nation of Israel (Rom 3, Acts 13). Fifth, the
Mosaic law provided a mechanism for the forgiveness of sin through sacrifices and offerings for those of faith (Lev 1-7). Sixth, the
law provided a way of worship for the community of faith through yearly feasts (Lev 23). Seventh, the Jewish law was intended to provide
God's instruction and direction regarding the physical and spiritual health of the nation (Exo 21-23; Deut 6; Psalms 119), and eight,
the law was intended to reveal the weakness of mankind and the fact that no man could completely and successfully keep the law and
God's standards of holiness (Rom 3:23). Paul adds, Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and
so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there
is no law (Romans 5:12-13). Ninth, and last, the law was and is intended to turn us to Christ and faith in Him: the scripture hath
concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we
were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring
us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:22-24). In His wisdom, God intended the Jewish law to have multiple
effects on Israel, and mankind, and it certainly did that. Specifically, the law offered proof that man was and is a sinner.
MAN
IS A SINNER
From the beginning of time, mankind has broken God's standards, laws, and commandments and will, and, therefore revealed
the sin in man's heart. As Paul pronounced, all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Not only are we sinners
in our inward parts, but we all must acknowledge and confess that we are sinners. As the scriptures clearly teach, If we say that
we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9), and ye know that he [Christ] was manifested [Greek, phaneroo, to
shine forth, to render apparent, to cause to appear, declare, or cause to show self] to take away [Greek, airo, to lift, take up or
take away, to expiate sin, to loose, put away, or remove] our sins; and in him is no sin (1 John 3:5).
Referring to both Jews
and Gentiles, Paul wrote the church in Rome, What then? are we [Jews] better than they [Gentiles]? No, in no wise: for we have before
proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none
that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable;
there is none that doeth good, no, not one (Romans 3:9-12). Clearly, Paul teaches that we are all sinners: Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin
entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in
the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not
sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him [Christ who was to be revealed later] that was to come (Romans
5:12-14).
The scriptures abundantly teach that we all have done evil in the sight of God the Father. For example, after his sin
with Bathsheba, David lamented in prayer to God, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude
of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge
my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou
mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother
conceive me (Psalms 51:1-5). We are all born into sin, and must ask for God's mercy and forgiveness. Man was so sinful and evil that
at one point God the Father was sorry He had even created man: GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that
every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth,
and it grieved him at his heart (Genesis 6:5-6). The psalmist David concluded, The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children
of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy:
there is none that doeth good, no, not one (Psalms 14:2-3). By God's standards, not one has done good.
Regarding the evil of
man, Jeremiah prophesied that The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9), while
the psalmist, David, adds, Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not
one (Psalms 53:3). Jesus told some brethren around Him, The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it,
that the works thereof are evil (John 7:7).
Lastly, Jesus referred to men who had evil in their hearts when He gave them this
parable: For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known
by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure
of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil [Greek, poneros, hurtful in effect or influence, degenerate, calamitous,
diseased, culpable, derelict, grievous, harmful, or wicked] man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is
evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh (Luke 6:43-45). It is obvious if you believe the scriptures, you must
conclude that mankind is evil and sinful.
WHY DO OUR SINS RESULT IN THE WRATH OF GOD, GUILT, AND DEATH?
The scriptures also
teach that we are not only evil and sinful, but that when we violate God's commandments and will, we are judged by God and determined
to be guilty of violation of His laws and commandments and, as a result, subject to death. But, why is this the case? Why do our sins
result in guilt and death? The scriptures are plain in answering this issue.
God is righteous and holy, and in the old covenant
[and from the beginning of time], He demanded our righteousness and holiness through complete obedience to all the law and commandments
of God. If we failed in one sin, we were judged guilty of all. James, the brother of Jesus, explained, For whosoever shall keep the
whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10). Since, from the beginning, mankind sinned in one point of
the law, he or she was judged by God to be guilty of violating all of the law. In the book of numbers, we read, Ye shall have one
law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth
among them. But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the
LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment,that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him (Numbers 15:29-31).
When we violate the ordinances of God,
we are guilty and deserving of death. In the book of Leviticus, we read, They shall therefore keep mine ordinance, lest they bear
sin for it, and die therefore, if they profane it: I the LORD do sanctify them (Leviticus 22:9). God told Moses, And the LORD spake
unto Moses, saying, Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have
given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.
And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the
winepress. Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel;
and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest. Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering
of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it. Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved
the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of
the winepress. And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle
of the congregation. And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute
the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die (Numbers 18:25-32). Again, from the mouth of God the Father, sin and disobedience
leads to sin, and sin leads to guilt and death. Writing to the church in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul connected God's judgment with
punishment of sinners when he wrote, Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And
to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting [eternal,
perpetual] destruction [Greek, olethros, to destroy, cause ruin, punishment or death] from the presence of the Lord, and from the
glory of his power (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).
Through Ezekiel, God gave this standard regarding sin and death: when the righteous
turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth,
shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his
sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die (Ezekiel 18:24). Even more telling, Ezekiel adds,
the soul that sinneth, it shall
die (Ezekiel 18:4). According to the teachings of the scriptures, sin and death have an intimate relationship.
GOD'S RESPONSE
TO MAN'S SIN IS VIOLENT PASSION
God's response to man's ungodliness and unrighteousness is the expression of His anger to the
Jew and the Greek alike, that is, to everyone. Paul explains, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed
from faith [of the Jew] to faith [of the Greek]: as it is written, The just [both Jew and Greek] shall live by faith. For the wrath [Greek,orge, desire as reaching forth, violent passion, abhorrence, anger, or indignation] of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for
God hath shewed it unto them (Romans 1:16-19).
Writing to the church in Ephesus, Paul again connected man's disobedience to the
laws of God with the expression of His holy anger. Paul adds, Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love,
as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication,
and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking,
nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor
covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words:
for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience [Greek, peitheia, disbelief, obstinate, unpersuadable,
or rebellious] (Ephesians 5:1-6). Paul used similar terminology in his letter to the Colossian church. Paul again paired disobedience,
judgment, and the wrath of God: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is
hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore
your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which
is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience (Colossians 3:2-6).
In the book of
Revelation, John the apostle wrote, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,The same shall drink of the wine [intoxication] of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation [Greek,orge, desire as reaching forth, violent passion, abhorrence, anger, or indignation]; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone
in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb (Revelation 14:9-10). According to the revelator, in the latter
days, anyone who worships the beast and his image shall drink the wine of the wrath of God and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone.
According to the scriptures, the sin, disobedience, rebellion, and unrighteousness of mankind will be [apart from having faith in
Christ] subjected to the wrath of God the Father in heaven.
God is a God of judgment, and He will not, and cannot, allow sin
to go unpunished. Truly, God says If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with
the rod, and their iniquity with stripes (Psalms 89:31-32). God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious;the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power,
and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his
feet (Nahum 1:2-3).
Finally, with God, judgment of our sin is inevitable and unavoidable. As Paul taught, For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether
it be good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).
WHO CAN FORGIVE OUR SINS AND GUILT?
Since the scriptures teach that the sins of
mankind are apparent, but that they can also be forgiven, we should ask then, who can do this? Who is in the position to forgive all
the sins that we commit past, present, and future? Well, the scriptures teach us that only God and Christ can forgive our sins.
Jesus Christ has been given clear authority to forgive sins and trespasses. We read, And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was
teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and
Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy:
and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in
because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason,
saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering
said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee,
Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house (Luke 5:17-24).
The bible is clear that God the Father in heaven can also
forgive our sins. Mark teaches us that we are to be forgiving. In Mark, we are instructed, when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have
ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither willyour Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses (Mark 11:25-26). Speaking to God the Father, the psalmist prays, Out of the
depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou,
LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for
the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope (Psalms 130:1-5). Last of all, referring to God the Father, the apostle Paul
wrote to the church in Rome, Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without
works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will
not impute [Greek, logizomai, to take an inventory of, conclude, count, lay on, number, or reckon] sin (Romans 4:6-8).
HOW AND
WHY WE CAN RECEIVE FORGIVENESS?
Since all have sinned and all are found guilty, yet we all can also receive forgiveness from
Christ and God the Father, we can now ask, how and why can our sins be forgiven? What are the reasons our sins can be forgiven? Additionally,
what do we need to do to have our sins forgiven by Christ and God the Father?
Jesus was destined from the beginning of time to
bring forgiveness of sin and salvation. The scriptures instruct us, And she [Mary] shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his
name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
Believing in Christ is required for us to receive deliverance
from the consequences of and pardon of our sins. The apostle Peter said, we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land
of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to
all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And
he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission [Greek, aphesis, freedom
from, pardon of, deliverance, to lay aside, remit, put away, forgiveness, or liberty from] of sins (Acts 10:39-43).
Again, making
the point that faith in Christ is required for justification [innocent, forgiven] of our sins, Paul wrote believers in Rome, Therefore
we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles?
Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision [Jews] by faith, and uncircumcision [Gentiles]through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law (Romans 3:28-31).
We also receive
forgiveness of sins through confession of our sins unto the Lord. One of Jesus' original twelve disciples, John, wrote, If we say
that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not
in us (1 John 1:8-10).
The prophet Isaiah prophesied in lengthy detail the suffering necessary in the forgiving and life-giving
ministry of Jesus: For he [Christ] shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form
nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man
of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surelyhe hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded
for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are
healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of
us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep
before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation?
for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the
wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD
to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong
his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:
by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion
with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered
with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:2-12).
In the death
of Christ, the believer was justified, saved, reconciled, and received the atonement. Paul wrote the church of believers in Rome these
words: 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). Paul adds, But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,
being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even [specifically] the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all
and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified [rendered
innocent] freely by his grace [benefit, favor, liberality] through the redemption [ransom in full]that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God
hath set forth to be a propitiation [Greek, hilasterion, expiatory thing, an atoning victim, or a mercy seat] through faith in his
blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission [Greek, paresis, to take ownership of, or toleration] of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier [Greek,dikaioo, to render just or innocent, to set free, or to make righteous] of him which believeth in Jesus (Romans 3:21-26). Regarding
the giving of His own life for the forgiveness of the sins of those who believe in Him, Jusus said, Therefore doth my Father love
me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again [resurrect it]. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.
I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father (John 10:17-18).
Writing
to the Colossian church, Paul explained that believers in Christ also receive forgiveness of sin, redemption, and eternal life because
of the shed blood [the life is in the blood; see Leviticus 17:11] of Jesus Christ. As Paul also taught the believers in Colossae, ...the
Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:Who hath delivered us from the power of
darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption [Greek, apolutrosis, riddance, Christian
salvation, deliverance, a price paid, or a ransom] through [the shedding of;] his blood (See Mat 26:28 & Heb 9:22), even [specifically] the
forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature (Colossians 1:12-15).
Last, our sins
are also forgiven because God made His Son, Christ, who was sinless, to become our sin and unrighteousness so that we might become
the righteousness and holiness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ took our sin upon Himself so that we could take His sinless
righteousness upon ourselves.
CHRIST WAS OFFERED ONCE
Christ had an unchangeable priesthood who was able to save all who
came unto God by Him, and offered up Himself once for the sins of the people: By so much was Jesus made a surety [Greek, egguos, a
limb, pledged, articulated by a member, or a bondsman] of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were
not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Whereforehe is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Forsuch an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth
not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once,
when he offered up himself (Hebrews 7:22-27).
Because Christ once shed His blood [life], the believer in Christ can receive forgiveness
for his sins, as well as eternal life. In Hebrews, we see, Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered
in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an
heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause
he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first
testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:12-15). Christ was once offered to bear
the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation (Hebrews 9:28).
The
author of the book of Hebrews once again refers to the one-time sacrificial offering of Christ for sins forever when he wrote, I come
to do thy will, O God [my Father]. He taketh away the first [covenant], that he may establish the second.By the which will we are
sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering
oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,
sat down on the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:9-12). Writing to the believers in Rome, Paul adds, For in that he died, he died unto
sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God (Romans 6:10). The apostle John again clarifies for us that he [Christ] is the
propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).
Last to be mentioned,
Peter, who described himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, adds this regarding the saving and reconciliating ministry of Christ:it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for
sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which
also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in
the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto
even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being
made subject unto him (1 Peter 3:17-22).
CHRIST RECONCILED THE WORLD TO GOD
In his second letter to the church in Corinth,
Paul referred the the reconciling ministry of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled [Greek, katallasso, to change
mutually, to compound a difference, to make different, to restore a relationship, or change] us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath
given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their
trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no
sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). God the Father made Jesus Christ, who knew not
sin, to become sin in our place, so that we believers might be made the righteousness of God so that our relationship with God the
Father could and would be restored.
Writing to the church in Rome, Paul echoed this teaching of reconciliation. Paul explained, God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified [Greek,dikaioo, to render just or innocent, to set free, or judge or determine to be righteous] by [the shedding of] his blood, we shall
be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies [of God the Father], we were reconciled [restored] to God [the Father]by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved [Greek, sozo, to deliver, to protect, to heal, do well, or
make whole] by his [sacrificing His own] life (Romans 5:8-10). Paul teaches here that by the death of Christ, the believer is justified,
and saved from God's wrath, and our relationship to God the Father is restored.
The author of Hebrews adds, Wherefore in all
things it behoved him [Christ] to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining
to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17), while Paul wrote the Ephesian church, But now in Christ
Jesus ye who sometimes were far off [from God] are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one,
and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even [specifically]the law
of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace [with God the Father]; And that
he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby (Ephesians 2:13-16).
Lastly, in writing
the church in Colossae, the apostle again taught and referred to Christ's reconciliation of believers to God the Father: And you,
that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled [you to God the Father] In the body
of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight (Colossians 1:21-22).
CHRIST OFFERED
UP HIMSELF
God the Father required an extreme price be paid for the sins of mankind, and that price was death; and there is only
one person who could pay that price Jesus Christ. The author, possibly Paul, wrote a letter to Jewish Christians who were being
persecuted and were tempted to resort back to their former Jewish faith. Paul wrote, For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing
in of a better hope [Christ] did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made perfect: (For
those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou
art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were
many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable
priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession
for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he [Christ] did
once, when he offered up himself (Hebrews 7:19-27).
Paul later added, For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with
hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should
offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have
suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice
of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins
of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation (Hebrews 9:24-28). Now once, Christ
has appeared on earth to put away sin by sacrificing Himself.
Paul emphasized the fact that Christ offered one sacrifice for
sins forever, and by His one sacrificial offering He made perefect forever them that are sanctified when he wrote, every priest standeth
daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:But this man [Christ], after he had
offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his
footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:11-14).
CHRIST IS THE PROPITIATION
FOR OUR SINS
Referring to Christ as our propitiator, the apostle Paul wrote, the righteousness of God [that is, Jesus Christ] without
the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even [specifically] the righteousness of God which is by faith
of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all [Jew and Greek alike] have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath
set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood [life], to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are
past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier
of him which believeth in Jesus (Romans 3:21-26). In verse 25, the word propitiation is translated from the Greek word hilasterion,
which means an expiatory place or thing, to conciliate, to make or be an atoning victim]. Christ died in our place to atone, or die,
for our sins, and for the purpose of making amends or reparations for those sins.
John the apostle also confirms for us that
Christ is the propitiator and advocate for our sins. John wrote, My little children [a reference to fellow believers in and around
Ephesus], these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate [Greek, parakletos, an intercessor,
consoler, or comforter] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only,
but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2).
John also teaches us that God sent His son to be our propitiation for
our sins because of His profound love of us. John declares, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested
the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love,
not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation [expiator, one who atones] for our sins (1 John
4:8-10).
THE SINS OF THE BELIEVER IN CHRIST SHALL BE FORGIVEN
Because of Christ's ministry of justification, sanctification,
reconciliation, propitiation, remission, redemption, and offering Himself as God the Father's sacrificial lamb, the Lord promises
that the sins of all who believe in Jesus Christ shall be forgiven. The forgiveness of our sins, and our subsequent salvation, is
not dependent upon our own efforts. It is a gift of God the Father, through His Son. Paul confirms to us, For by grace [of God] are
ye [forgiven and] saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians
2:8-10).
Regarding God's forgiveness of our sins, Isaiah prophesied that we must understand and accept that it is our heavenly
Father and His Son who will forgive our sins: Come now, and let us reason [Hebrew, yakach, to be right or correct, to argue, to decide,
justify or convict, convince, plead, or reprove] together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white
as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18). Christ prophesied and taught, I, even I, am, he that
blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins (Isaiah 43:25). In the book of Matthew, we also
read these words of Christ: For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the [forgiveness and] remission of
sins (Matthew 26:28).
Also referencing the forgiving and saving ministry of Christ, Paul also taught, ...for us also, to whom
it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who [Christ] was delivered [to death] for our
offences, and was raised again for our justification (Romans 4:24-25). Paul's words are certainly worth mentioning again: all things
are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God
was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye
reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2
Corinthians 5:18-21).
Paul also encouraged Timothy to Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with
an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before
the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought
life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8-10). Indeed, Jesus Christ has washed us from our sins in his own blood(Revelation 1:5), he [Christ] hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:6-7), and, as the result, the believer in Christ has passed from death
unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death (1 John 3:14).
Because believers in
Christ have been forgiven, they therefore are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household
of God (Ephesians 2:19). Jesus called Saul to become a minister and witness to the Gentiles, To open their eyes, and to turn them
from darkness to light [revelation and understanding], and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me (Acts 26:18). Again, writing to the church in Colossae,
the mighty and faithful apostle Paul encouraged the Colossians that they should be Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made
us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated
us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even [specifically] the forgiveness of sins (Colossians
1:12-14). Paul absolutely connected God's forgiveness with our inheritance of eternal salvation and life.
Jesus, Himself, again
taught us the necessity of believing in Christ to receive forgiveness when He said, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn
the world; but that the world through him might be [forgiven and] saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth
not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:17-18). Additionally, the
scriptures remind us of the value of our needed personal and constant confession of our sins: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). The believer should never forget the one and only source of our forgiveness and salvation by continuallyLooking unto Jesus the author [Greek, archegos, beginning, chief leader, captain, or prince] and finisher [Greek, teleiotes, completer,
accomplisher, consummator, or one who fulfills]of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
On the road to Damascus, Jesus, speaking with
authority, instructed Saul, rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister
and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee
from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and
from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith
that is in me (Acts 26:16-18). Here, Jesus clearly connects the forgiveness of our sins and our sanctification by faith in Christ
with an inheritance of eternal life in the presence of the Son of God and God the Father.
Fortunately for we sinners, becausethe Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6), and we are therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) and we can say, as Paul did, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (2
Timothy 4:8).
Last of all, with firmness concerning the forgiveness of our sins, the apostle John summarizes to fellow Christians
in and around Ephesus [and to all believers in Christ as well], I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven
you for his [Christ] name's sake (1 John 2:12); and thanks be unto God and Christ for that. AMEN
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
"Hereby perceive we
the love of God,
because he laid down his life for us: and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
But
whoso hath this
world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the
love of God in
him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue;
but in deed
and in truth"
(1 John 3:16-18).
"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"
(Romans 5:8-10).
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being
found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath
highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name
(Philippians 2:5-9).
For when we were
yet without strength,
in due time Christ
died for the ungodly
(Romans 5:6).
"But Christ being
come an high priest
of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that
is to say, not of this building; Neither by
the blood of goats
and calves, but by
his own blood he entered in once into
the holy place,
having obtained eternal redemption for us
(Hebrews 9:11-12).
Be strong and
of a good courage,
fear not, nor be
afraid of them:
for the LORD
thy God, he it
is that doth
go with thee;
he will not
fail
thee, nor
forsake
thee
(Deuteronomy 31:6).