WELCOME
By Amy Brown
"I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake."-(I John 2:12)To forgive means to 1) excuse for a fault or an offense, pardon; 2) to absolve from payment. Some synonyms include remit, justify and free. Sin has been a problem since the beginning of mankind. In Genesis 3, we read the account of Adam and Eve disobeying the command of God and, thereby, introducing sin into the world. From that point on, forgiveness was needed after each person sinned. Under the Mosaic law, sacrifices were offered in order to atone for sins, but true forgiveness was not received.
"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. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 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."-(Hebrews 10:1-4)
"And by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses."-(Acts 13:39)As children of God, we live under a new covenant, superior to the first.
"For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second."-(Hebrews 8:7)
"To Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel."-(Hebrews 12:24)Under the new covenant, we enjoy complete forgiveness of sin. If we are truly repentant, are seeking the Lord and His Ways and have been obedient to the gospel, all we have to do is ask sincerely.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."-(I John 1:9)
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" -(Ephesians 1:7 NKJV).What a blessing! We do not have to worry that our sins will be "held over our heads." We are new creatures, our sins are blotted out. So many are critical of Christianity and cite its "restrictive nature." What they do not understand is the great freedom we are given as children of God. In Christ, we have freedom from sin which in turn gives us the hope of eternal life.
Some take this to the opposite extreme and say that once you have been added to the Lord's body, you cannot fall away. Forgiveness will always be yours, even if you do not desire it! This is foolish thinking. Scripture makes it clear that salvation is not a one-time ticket to be stamped, but rather a continuous journey that requires hard work and faithfulness.
"For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, then having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."" -(2 Peter 2:20-22)
"The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,"-(Matthew 13:41).
"Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;"-(Philippians 2:12).God be thanked, that as His children we can be forgiven!
"I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake."-(I John 2:12)QUESTIONS
1. Read Genesis 3 and summarize the account of Adam and Eve's transgression.
2. How was sin dealt with under the old law?
3. Who was responsible for offering sacrifices?
4. How is sin dealt with under the new covenant?
5. Using scripture, tell how the new covenant is superior to the old.
6. Who is our high priest today?
7. What is the Greek word for forgive?
8. Tell its origin and definition.
9. How do we receive forgiveness of sin?
10. Give your favorite example of forgiveness from scripture.
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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