On day 9 of my quest to read the Bible through in one year, I wanted to share something I have discovered anew. Partially, this was pointed out to me in a book I am reading. The book is wonderful, controversial, and I'll tell you all about it when I'm done. The point was confirmed in my Bible reading for today.
Hebrews 9:28. "Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him."
Why do we live our lives as though Christ's death and resurrection paid the price for our sins/covered our sins and that was it? His sacrifice TOOK AWAY our sins! That means there is no reason to go back and revisit them because they no longer exist! If you have confessed your sins to God and asked for forgiveness through the gift of Jesus' sacrifice for you on the Cross, then to God those events never happened. Never. If you feel like you don't have a right to say anything to anyone because your past is so ugly even though you have asked God to forgive you, then you are calling God a liar. You are saying His Word isn't true. Jesus died to take those sins away, not to hide them. They are not lurking around in a back closet or under a carpet somewhere, waiting for God to thrust them in your face when you annoy him. They will not be displayed for everyone to see when we get to Heaven, either. They are G.O.N.E.
What a liberating truth, don't you think?!
1 comment:
The only place I can think of off the top of my head is in Matthew. In the Lord's Prayer, Ch6, v12. We are instructed to ask God to forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And we are told later in the same chaper that God will not forgive our sins if we refuse to forgive others.
But it is true that Jesus often told people their sins were forgiven and those people had not confessed their sins to Jesus.
Maybe the point is Jesus doesn't need our permission to forgive us, but He invites us to join him in the process.
Thanks bunches. I'm going to be distracted by this ALL DAY!
;-)
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