Forgiveness For Sins

Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. [Acts 13.38]

Forgiveness for sins. Now, there is a topic worth discussing!

It seems appropriate that Paul and Barnabas would focus on a simple message. 

But the message was not simple. Forgiveness of sins in Christ meant everything the Jews were familiar with and had practiced for hundreds of years meant nothing. It meant that the meaning of the Law and all its protocol had been adjusted. It meant that forgiveness of sins was no longer dependent upon the people's work of holding themselves and each other accountable for the rituals and sacrifices prescribed by the Law. It meant that forgiveness of sins was now dependent upon the work of Jesus Christ. The responsibility of the people was effectively reduced to faith.

But human nature does not like faith. And so, Paul and Barnabas met great opposition.

Faith strips the believer of any contribution to his or her salvation. Faith also strips the believer of holding anyone else accountable for their salvation. The obedience of faith, while freeing one from the responsibility of strict ritual and sacrifices, binds the believer to the work of Jesus - forgiveness. The genuine believer has nothing to show for his or her salvation except Jesus.

Now, stay with me... How does Jesus "show for" our salvation? Do we just "speak the name?" Speaking the name is just the beginning! When we speak the name of Jesus, we are inciting the life and works of Jesus to manifest through our own lives. Jesus was very clear throughout His time of ministry on earth that His followers would look and act like Him. And, although Jesus' life manifested great and miraculous power, His greatest demonstration was forgiveness.

With the new 'responsibility' of looking and acting like Jesus, believers have been given, as a Helper, the Holy Spirit. Jesus arranged for and sent the Holy Spirit as He said He would. So again, the believer's only real responsibility is to believe - to have faith.

So what if Jesus' life is not manifesting through ours? There can be only one answer! We have not believed! And, perhaps the greatest, yet most overlooked hindrance to our faith is our own refusal to forgive. If we do not forgive, we are in no position to receive anything by faith - salvation and the Holy Spirit being the most important.

We simply cannot receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit if we are not forgiven (saved). And, we simply cannot be forgiven (saved) if we do not forgive. No amount of faith will overcome unforgiveness.

Worth stating again, no amount of faith will overcome unforgiveness.

I know this all sounds too complicated. I know we all think we cannot be diagnosed as "unforgiving" because our circumstances indicate we are not enjoying the fullness of being forgiven - there must be some other explanation... From my perspective today, I see no other explanation.

Father, I want to be absolutely sure that there is no unforgiveness in me whatsoever. Please help me to see clearly the simplicity of faith in Jesus alone for salvation. Help me to see clearly the simplicity of faith in Jesus alone for the salvation of others... They owe me nothing...