03/17/2021
Believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and is our Savior and Redeemer who has made restitution for our sin, and cleanses us of them while conquering death through the power of His life, brings the greatest blessing ever pronounced upon us. Once we, who now believe in Christ, were lawless creatures; not merely disobedient of man’s laws, which could be forgiven by repaying our debt to men, but of God’s law of which we ourselves were unable to make restitution by works, or our own ability.
““Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.””
Romans 4:7-8 ESV
Sin came into the world with Adam and Eve, but even as that sin was being birthed, and the sentence of labor, hardship, and death was being passed, God was conceiving a way for man to be forgiven... He was preparing for His Son to die so that man, who had no way to make recompense, could become righteous, and walk with God once more.
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
John 3:16-18 ESV
Before the coming of Christ, men could right themselves with each other by repaying in like kind for the damage they had done. Man’s law was ruled by such worldly vehicles as an eye for an eye, and life for a life. Men judged men, and passed sentence according to their ability to pay, but Jesus brought a new means of judgment, and forgiveness, through such rulings as he made at the stoning of the adulteress...
“And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.””
John 8:7 ESV
Jesus went on to instruct us in scripture concerning a form of forgiveness almost unheard of among men, that was to apply forgiveness without the mention of restitution. This new way of forgiving was called grace, and He told us to apply it to others so that we might be forgiven of our sins by God’s own grace...
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.””
Mark 11:25 ESV
In this way, forgiveness through grace is lavished upon us by our belief in Jesus Christ, and as God’s grace flows through Him, we are blessed beyond measure. No father’s blessing has ever so perfect and lovingly applied as this blessing our Heavenly Father pronounced over us... His children. By grace our sins are no longer counted against us.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV
So how is it that we would like to be judged, and forgiven; by restitution under man’s law, by the blood of many lambs under the law of Moses, or by the life and blood of Jesus Christ which is infused with the grace of God? Do we believe, and have faith, in Jesus Christ the vessel of grace, and are we prepared to receive the greatest blessing ever given?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who shed His blood, and gave His life unto death, so that we might be redeemed, and offered eternal life with you. Thank you for your grace that flows through Him, and the lesson of grace He taught us to apply to one another. Thank you Holy Father for the ultimate blessing, the greatest blessing, that we receive from you without recompense, as we believe in your Son, and forgive others. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose grace knows no bounds, and comes to us through Jesus alone. Praised be your name for the words Jesus spoke as He said that none could come to you save through Him, and for the help you give us in our unbelief as we seek to know Him more perfectly. Hear our prayers Merciful Father as we forgive those who we have something against, and ask for your forgiveness through Jesus. Wash us clean, and make us righteous in your eyes, possible only by the blood of Jesus that carries your grace into the world. Bless us Father beyond our wildest expectations by speaking your Word over us, fulfilling your every promise, and seating us at your table where we will dine in your presence forevermore.
Rich Forbes