“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace” –Ephesians 1:7
Forgiveness means we don’t require a payment for settlement. If repayment is made there is no need for forgiveness. Forgiveness here assumes grace. Grace lets the injury go. Grace gives what someone doesn’t deserve. Forgiveness is not getting even, it gives away this right. This is what God has done for us when we trust Christ: “Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” (Acts
The key here is understanding our sins before a Holy God. This understanding must be heart-felt. If we don’t understand our position before a Holy God we will never walk in a deep appreciation of grace. We will never be in awe of the love God has given us by wiping out our transgressions for His own sake (Is 43:25) and removing them as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12). This is truly amazing grace!
Is forgiveness enough?
All sin is serious before God’s holiness. It is His glory our sin injures. When we ignore or disobey our sin we blaspheme God. His justice requires punishment. The injury done to God’s glory by our sin must be repaired so that in justice His glory shines more brightly. If we are set free and are forgiven there must be some dramatic demonstration that the honor of God is upheld even though former blasphemers (us) are set free. Thus, forgiveness is not enough! There has to be justice.
This is why Christ suffered and died. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of all our trespasses.” (Eph 1:7) Forgiveness costs us nothing. All our costly obedience is the fruit, not the root, of being forgiven. This is why it is called grace! But there was a cost. It cost Jesus His life. This is why we call it just.
Imagine someone being set free for a horrible crime and showing little emotion. Do you think that criminal really understood his crime? After the criminal is set free and enters society with no record of wrong doing, what if he then complains about his poor treatment in prison, the bad food or uncomfortable sleeping conditions. Worse yet, what if he grumbles about the lousy T.V. channels he had to watch during his recreation periods? Is this a man who appreciates the grace given to him? Does he even begin to understand the sacrifice someone made on his behalf? Has he any comprehension the acts of evil he committed?
If we don’t understand our sin before God
we minimize the work of Christ on the cross.
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.—Romans
3 comments:
Thank you Father for your son Jesus and for forgiving me, I pray today I will walk as someone forgiven, and will chose to forgive others as a result and response to God's great gift to me
tt
Amen! This is good bible for the poll. I need this as well as the other types of devsions. Thanks for doing this.
I will bless the Lord, Oh, my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name!
Father thank you for giving your son for my sins, for the forgiveness that abounds from your throne, ultimately from the cross. Jesus, thank you, thank you, thank you for giving yourself for my sins. I live today because of you. May forgiveness always be a huge part of my life, as well at the discipline of gratitude for all you have done, are doing, and will do in my life to glorify yourself!
Love the kanji at the beginning-beautiful, thank you.
Post a Comment