Post by foxjj on Oct 9, 2022 7:30:41 GMT
Forgiveness Through Jesus
When comparing spiritual teachings, Christianity is unique with its offer of forgiveness through the finished work of Jesus Christ. All religions do not offer forgiveness. As an example, there is the teaching that we must live another life in order to improve on the last one until we achieve perfection. Then there is the religion that says all of our actions are weighed on a scale and we are judged accordingly. Other groups require their followers to earn their forgiveness. Sometimes this may take the form of a sacrificial offering, or a payment of money, it may even require extra acts of religious duties that show sorrow for sins. In other words, their followers are required to earn forgiveness through their own merits.
In The Bible, God is portrayed as a holy God who offers forgiveness as Nehemiah 9:17 declares: "But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." Psalm 103: 8-14 also describes God as a compassionate and gracious Father who is willing to forgive: "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."
In the Old Covenant, forgiveness of sin was associated with sacrifice and blood, known as The Atonement as we read in Leviticus 17:11: "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life."
In the New Covenant, forgiveness is linked with the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. In Matthew 26:28 Jesus said: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." In Acts 13:38 Paul proclaimed: "Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you." While writing to the Church in Ephesus he wrote: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
Jesus pointed back to the prophets, showing how, as The Messiah, His death and resurrection was nessasery to bring forgiveness: "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:46-47)
Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus is Devine, the Son of God in human flesh, who came to lay down His life as the ultimate sacrifice for sin: “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.” (John 3:16-17) The sacrifice of Jesus is God’s unique gift of forgiveness offered to all who will repent and receive it.
Today, let us give praise to our God for His forgiveness.
John Joseph Fox.
When comparing spiritual teachings, Christianity is unique with its offer of forgiveness through the finished work of Jesus Christ. All religions do not offer forgiveness. As an example, there is the teaching that we must live another life in order to improve on the last one until we achieve perfection. Then there is the religion that says all of our actions are weighed on a scale and we are judged accordingly. Other groups require their followers to earn their forgiveness. Sometimes this may take the form of a sacrificial offering, or a payment of money, it may even require extra acts of religious duties that show sorrow for sins. In other words, their followers are required to earn forgiveness through their own merits.
In The Bible, God is portrayed as a holy God who offers forgiveness as Nehemiah 9:17 declares: "But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." Psalm 103: 8-14 also describes God as a compassionate and gracious Father who is willing to forgive: "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."
In the Old Covenant, forgiveness of sin was associated with sacrifice and blood, known as The Atonement as we read in Leviticus 17:11: "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life."
In the New Covenant, forgiveness is linked with the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. In Matthew 26:28 Jesus said: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." In Acts 13:38 Paul proclaimed: "Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you." While writing to the Church in Ephesus he wrote: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
Jesus pointed back to the prophets, showing how, as The Messiah, His death and resurrection was nessasery to bring forgiveness: "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:46-47)
Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus is Devine, the Son of God in human flesh, who came to lay down His life as the ultimate sacrifice for sin: “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.” (John 3:16-17) The sacrifice of Jesus is God’s unique gift of forgiveness offered to all who will repent and receive it.
Today, let us give praise to our God for His forgiveness.
John Joseph Fox.