Forgiveness

 

Forgiveness

Some people understand the seriousness of sin. Many people have been deceived by modern philosophy about the real accountability for sin.

        So why do I write about forgiveness – because our creator God holds us all responsible for the things we have done – good and bad. He is Just and justice will be done in this life or in the next. He is holy, and by His standards all sin, rebellion, transgression must be accounted for.  He is eternal, and cannot tolerate sin, yet He has made a way for us to enjoy His home with Him forever.

So how should I recognise guilt. Humanism says that the only wrong is when it harms someone else. This philosophy pervades western society. Our conscience , if not stifled, enables us recognise wrong we have done. God has revealed His holiness in the Law given through Moses. The 10 commandments would be the most widely circulated document of all time – and we fail at the beginning and the end – we have sinned.

But more compelling is the holy character and glory of God seen in the person of Jesus Christ. He did no sin, He knew no sin, no guile was found in His mouth. He was not only holy as God is holy, but He was the full expression of God’s love, compassion, and what humanity was meant to be. His life and teaching was a rebuke to all – religious and irreligious, rich and poor, powerful and weak. I feel like Peter who said “Depart from me for I am a sinful man O Lord”

Yet all who realised their need of forgiveness, came to Him. He recognised their repentance, and affirmed their faith in Him.

Did He have authority to forgive sins – Yes – He claimed that for Himself (Luke5:24)

Did He pay the debt, the offence of sin before God? – Yes – He explained that by His sufferings (Luke 24:44-48)

Did He require prayers, payment, penance? – No – Believing in His name is sufficient (Acts 10:43)

Does He forgive the unrepentant – No – He will be their final judge (Acts 17:30,31)

“Listen, in this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in Him is freed from all guilt and declared right with God – something the Jewish law could never do.”

Acts 13:38

 

“Oh what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,

Whose sins are put out of sight,

Yes what joy for those whose sin is no longer counted against them by the Lord”

Acts 4:7