Forgiveness

The scriptures tell us that according to the law of Moses without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness or remission of sins.

The KJV uses the word remission which is more than just forgiveness. It means to be set free from sin and its consequence.

Remission in the Greek, is aphesis, which means forgiveness, deliverance and liberty. To not only be forgiven (letting go as if they had never been committed), but to be released from the bondage or imprisonment of the penalty for sin.

Sin has consequence. Under the law, a life must be given up for a life. The soul that sins shall die. Romans 6:23

Jesus, who was without sin, gave his life up for the sinner who repents and forsakes their sin. Repentance is a big factor in the remission process. Without repentance there is no forgiveness of sin. In order to receive this remission of sin, one must repent.

Without repentance, there is no remission of sins. Acts 2:38

 Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19

Repentance Metanoeo in the Greek is to have a change of mind for the better. To turn from sin or breaking God’s laws. To be converted to God’s word. That is to receive the gospel’s truth.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. Isaiah 52:9

Sin has consequence. It produces death. Not just eternal death but death as in no life of God. It separates us from God. He does not hear prayer, we lose our joy, and we can become fearful, sick and weak.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction. Galatians 6:8

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Revelation 3:19

Scriptures tell us that it is FAITH IN THE BLOOD that saves from the penalty of sin. When we repent and turn to the truth of the gospel we must have faith in the blood of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sin.

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 3:25

We cannot save ourselves by good works or good deeds.

Romans Chapter 3 tells us that under the law we all are condemned to die eternally because of sin. Unless we turn to Jesus Christ for the remission of our sin.

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Romans 3:25

Once we are forgiven by repentance and faith in the blood of Jesus Christ then we are made righteous before God as if we have never sinned.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Romans 5:21

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:9

If we confess our sin to God, repent of our sin and have faith in the Blood of Jesus Christ we can be forgiven and made righteous by God as if we have never sinned.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. John 1:9

  


Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Hebrew is bâţach. It means to have confidence in. To put your hope in. To be secure in.

The Bible tells us that those who put their trust in the Lord are defended and kept safe.

They are healthy and satisfied. They are shielded from danger. Delivered from the enemy’s wiles and they are blessed.

Proverbs 28:25
Proverbs 29:25
Proverbs 30:5
Psalm 2:12
Psalm 17:17

Many in the world do not have this kind of security. They put their trust instead in the universe.

To put one’s trust in the universe is to put trust in fate.

What is fate? By definition fate is events beyond a person’s control that is determined by a supernatural power.

In ancient Greek and Roman mythology fate was determined by the gods. When the gods destined one’s life it was predetermined by fate.

Fate or the universe in effect is luck which is failure or success brought on by fate (whim of the gods)rather than one’s own actions.

To trust in the universe or fate is really to trust in a supernatural power to order the events of one’s life.

What supernatural power are they trusting in?

The God of the Bible requires surrender to his Son Jesus Christ. YHWY requires accountability for actions. The outcomes of one’s life are determined by the choices one makes in life.

Isaiah 1:19, 20
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Joshua 24:14

As any logical person knows the universe is an abstract material element and not something able to determine one’s life outcomes.

The universe is matter and space as a whole that make up life as we know it. The universe is not able to determine the events of one’s life. That would be like trusting in the moon or a comet. These are material elements. There is no mind. No magic wand. No personality.

God on the other hand is a personality. He has a mind and supernatural power.

To trust in the one true God is to trust in a power that is higher than oneself. This requires allegiance. Not the whim and fancy of a fallen star disguised as a deity.

Why do you think that many people put their trust in the universe instead of God?

Because trusting in God means dependence on someone with the ability to have control over one’s life.

Trusting in random chance and the universe are less threatening to those who want to be in control of their own life.

The universe can be manipulated! Bamboozled! Conned into determining their outcomes.

What does trusting in the universe really mean?

Trusting in the universe means trusting in fate. Trusting in fate is trusting in luck, which determines good or bad outcomes.

When people say that they are trusting in the universe, in effect what they are saying is that they are trusting in fate which they hope will make them lucky.

The universe however is not the source of the outcomes because the universe is a material reality not a supernatural reality.

Whence then comes this supernatural reality? Fate is none other than a fallen one spoken of in the Bible.

Isaiah 14:12
2 Corinthians 4:4

A rebel who did not like to submit to the one true God. Therefore that rebel was cast out to dwell over the affairs of all the rebellious who dwell on the earth.

If one does not surrender to God who gave his Son Jesus Christ to save us all from the eternal consequences of having an non surrendered disobedient life then one’s fate is in no way going to be lucky.

In fact the Bible says that rebellion is like witchcraft. That is rebellion just like witchcraft seeks to dominate and control life events through the use of manipulation.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23

Kind of like trusting in the universe or trusting in fate to get lucky.

Surrendering to Jesus Christ is trusting in the God who has definite good guaranteed outcomes.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 

Those outcomes are determined by obedience to God’s word which produce an abundant life. A life that is satisfied, safe, blessed and eternally secure.