Saturday, 23 March 2024
REMISSION OF SINS
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-47).
In Christ, we have remission of our sins. His substitutionary work in our behalf made us new creations. Our past and our sins were completely blotted out, entirely erased from God's memory, not just your own.
So literally, what Jesus did was to take away the power of sin to prevent its destructive consequences. For that reason the Bible says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you...” (Romans 6:14). Jesus accomplished this for us.
Acts 13:38-39 says, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." The term "forgiveness" is derived from the Greek word 'aphesis,' which specifically means remission of sins.
Furthermore, those who believe in Him are not only granted remission but are also justified from all things, a status unattainable through the Law of Moses. Justification implies being acquitted, to be declared not guilty.
Many Christians haven’t fully grasped the depth of this truth. While Jesus indeed paid for the sins of the whole world, when you believe in Him, you receive a new life, you become “a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17), a new person in the presence of God.
In God's presence, you’re brand new! This is what justification truly means; you stand acquitted, not merely paid for. Through your belief in the payment, He gave you eternal life, and you were born anew, with a new life without a past. You’re now a new creature; this serves as the basis for your acquittal.
The Bible says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). In the presence of God, He sees you in Jesus Christ. He doesn’t see the multitude of sins you’ve committed; instead, He sees you as pure as Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, I thank you for making Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ. I pray for sinners around the world today, that as they hear the Gospel, their hearts be open to receive the remission of sins already accomplished for them through the death of Christ, to live unto righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 5:19-21; Romans 3:23-26
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 5:1-16 & Deuteronomy 25-27
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 2:12-20 & Psalm 91