1186. In Whom We Have Forgiveness
In Whom We Have Forgiveness
"In Whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph_1:7).
Forgiveness goes a step beyond redemption, although as our key verse shows it is closely related thereto. Redemption is that act of grace by which we are brought out of sin's wreckage and brought up unto God's service. Forgiveness carries with it the thought of remission. That is, through the Blood of Christ we have our sins all put away.
Another word is Scripturally and closely related to forgiveness. It is the word repentance.
"Repentance for the remission (Gk. "Aphesis") of sins" (Mar_1:4).
"Repentance and remission (Gk. "Aphesis") of sins" (Luk_24:47).
"Repentance to Israel, and forgiveness (Gk. "Aphesis") of sins" (Act_5:31).
Repentance includes in its manifestation the act of an individual, or of a nation (Israel) turning from sin; forgiveness manifests putting away of sins.
1. Forgiveness is based upon the Blood of Christ. God never passes over sins in the sense of excusing them. He forgives sins because Christ suffered for them, the Just for the unjust.
2. Forgiveness and redemption are both "according to the riches of His grace." Forgiveness is not based primarily upon confession. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" is always true; but that forgiveness is possible only according to riches of grace, and grace always operates upon the Blood of Christ.
Forgiveness comes to the saint upon confessing, just as justification comes to a sinner upon believing; but both forgiveness and justification are wholly of grace, and not of works.
3. Forgiveness and redemption abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence. These words express both the enlargement and the circumscribing of God's forgiveness. Forgiveness is enlarged, because it abounds; forgiveness is circumscribed, because it is hedged in by God's wisdom and prudence. Forgiveness abounds unto all who come confessing; but it abounds in full accord and support of God's holiness and justice.
In the return of the prodigal we have confession, for the son said, "Father, I have sinned and am no more worthy to be called thy son." We have forgiveness, for the father "ran and fell on his neck and kissed him." But where is the wisdom and prudence? We have wondered if the expression, "Thou hast killed for him the fatted calf," may not be suggestive at least of the fact that the shedding of blood is the basis of forgiveness and portrays the wisdom and providence of God.
For, "without shedding of blood is no remission" (Gk. "Aphesis"), forgiveness.
"Out of the depths of affliction,
Trial and trouble and grief,
Bring me, by Thy benediction,
Unto new heights of belief."
Out of the depths of my sorrow,
Trial and trouble and test,
Bring me, in Thy blest to-morrow
Into Thy haven of rest.
What does the Christian care–he may be surrounded by nothing that pleases; he may be bewildered by everything that tries the spirit; but he is journeying toward the land of eternal sunshine.
"Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory." "And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given them."
No joy can be so full, no glory so transcendent as that which awaits the believer who has faithfully manifested in his body the dying of the Lord Jesus.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR