In furtherance of last week piece titled, “why God will not punish you” we are going to look at the issue of forgiveness of sin.When you are appear before a judge to preside over a case, there are two possibilities, you are either acquitted and discharged, or condemned and punished. In your case Jesus was condemned for your offences and has served the punishment that you deserve.
Now you stand acquitted, free from guilt, discharged from prosecution because a verdict of not guilty is upon you.
Romans 8:1 says “…There is therefore now, no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
In other words, there is therefore now no punishment following condemnation for you who is born again.
This is the significance of the cross. Remember John the Baptist labelled Jesus as the “lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.”(John 1:29).
The Greek word rendered taketh away is “Airo,” it also means to “take off or away what is attached to anything” or to “take away from another what is his or what is committed to him.”
As a parent, when you take away a toy from your child, the child no longer has that toy. As long as that toy remains taken away, that child does not have it. That is what Jesus did for you, He took away your sin and He took it away forever.
“…But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”(Hebrews 10:12)
Sin was attached to you because of Adam’s disobedience, but at the Cross, Jesus was made a sin offering, which means that all your sins,(Past, Present and Future) was transferred to him, charged to his account.
“It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them],”(2 Corinthians 5:19)
You see, Jesus was not only made sin offering, he was also made a “burnt offering” that is why his nature(righteousness) is transferred or imputed to you the minute you become born again. At that moment, you are restored to favour with God and your sins are cancelled, taken away. The only place your sins exist is in your own memory, hence the need to renovate your mind. In God’s reckoning, your sins no longer exist.
Being born again is a recreation of of your spiritman, you will need to mature or grow spiritually, and as you grow may have some missteps. When you do, understand that is all taken care of. That is the time take advantage of the advocacy of Jesus.
“… My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”(1John 2:1)
God does not want you to be entangled with sin anymore, but if you ever miss the mark, Jesus now serves as your advocate or lawyer and He is on your side. He is present to render various beneficial services to you.
He stands before God as your lawyer and pleads your case or cause before the Father. He reminds God of the fact that He met the claim of Justice on your behalf. He informs God that He took the punishment that you deserve. He let’s God know that your past, present and future sin were charged to his account. Hallelujah.
Aside from Jesus’ advocacy, his blood also plays a role in your life; it cleanses or continues to cleanse you from all sin.
“….But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1John 1:7)
Now, let’s examine this verse critically, but before we do, I would like to ask you a question.
Where are you now as a believer?
Are you in the light or in darkness? But, before you respond, note that light and darkness speak of two different kingdoms.
Light signifies the kingdom of God and darkness signifies devil’s kingdom. There is no middle ground between these two kingdoms, you are either in one or the other.
The bible informs that you have been called out of darkness into his wondrous or glorious light, saying “…Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1Peter2:9)
Now, that we have established that we are in the light (God’s Kingdom), and there is no in-between. If we regulate our lives in this light, the blood of Jesus would keep on cleansing us from all sin. A continuous exercise. Note that it says all sins, meaning both overt and covert sins.
You see, to sin means to miss the mark and faith is the mark or yardstick. “…For whatsoever is not of faith is sin”(Romans 14:23)
The mark Jesus has set is divine health, prosperity, righteousness.Whenever you miss the mark or engage in activities that does nor meet the mark, the blood Jesus cleanses you.
However, for years, religion or church tradition has taught you to continuously confess your sins…” 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
You see, the above text is not for believers.
Think about this for a moment, why do you have to confess your sin when Jesus has taken them away or provided forgiveness for your sins?
What is the significance of Jesus bearing our sins or becoming our sin offering?
Jesus provided the forgiveness of your sins 2000 plus years ago, by one sacrifice and He did it for all time (forever)
I don’t know any one who is 2000 year old today. Do you?
More than 2000 plus years ago, Jesus forgave your past sin, which was in your future 2000 year ago, He forgave your present sin, which was in your future 2000 years ago. He forgave your future sin, which was in your future, 2000 years ago.
Pastor Emmanuel Asiwe, Joint Heirs International,#441 Cresecent, Brockton MA 02302 : Worship Hours: Sunday 10a.m, Wednesday 7p.m, Saturday 6a.m : Email: info@jointheirsint.org
