Thursday, April 3, 2014

Divine Forgiveness, 2of2



~ God Will Never Remember Your Sin—If You Are His Child ~

Would you like great insight into the mind of God with respect to the sins of Christians? If so, consider Hebrews 10.  

God’s Part  ~  God has put the Christian’s sin out of His mind. The consequences of Christians’ sin has been eradicated because of the blood of Jesus Christ. It is now just as if they had never sinned. “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (v. 17). This is so contrary to the Law, “in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year” (v. 3). God will never again hold the Christian’s sin against him.

Christ’s Part  ~  Christ’s death on the Cross was the only payment needed for the sins of Christians. By the sacrificial death of Christ “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (v. 10). This is also in direct contrast to the Law, “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect” (v. 1). For the Christian there is no more offering for sin required.

Christian’s Part  ~  When a person has been forgiven, he is free from the guilt of his past sins. There is no more dwelling on sin and the associated guilt. “For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins” (v.2). Again we see a very different picture than life under the Law. “But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (vs. 3-4). The Christian can live in freedom and confidence knowing that Jesus Christ has paid the entire penalty of his sin.    

comment:  Why not take a moment and read Hebrews 10 right now?

practical application:  In view of the above, “As the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:12-17). 

closing comment:  If you would like to read more on this subject, there are two related past ALN posts on this topic: “Does God Change His Mind” and “Forgive & Forget.”

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

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