Forgiveness of Sins

What Angers God?

Ken

“God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11 KJV). It is only fair to warn, God is a just God and does become angry with the wicked so that He will execute irreparable judgment, if He must. We have been rightly taught, “God is love” (1John 4:8, 16), but He is also a holy God. 

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). 

UCRT Cross Reference note on Hebrews 12:14:

“Holiness is an absolute requirement for salvation in this life.” The Greek verb underlying ‘holy’ does not occur in the future tense in the New Testament. Therefore, complete sanctification or holiness is a requirement in this life, not the other side of the grave (cf., Malcolm L. Lavender, The Fallacy of the ‘Sinning Christian,’ p. 95, and Lavender’s New Testament: A Literal Translation).

God’s anger is completely justifiable against wickedness, but humanity’s frustration about holiness is also recognizable. 

If we have been taught humankind is inescapably sinful, then only the grave would cure sin. However, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). Cleansing from all unrighteousness is then present holiness. 

If we have been taught that flesh is sinful, then again, only the grave can cure that. However, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1Peter 3:21). Baptism does not represent taking a bath for our flesh, but a good conscience toward God, which saves us. 

If we have been taught that obedience to God is a good work, then we are not saved by good works. However, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:21-24). Dead works and the works of faith must be carefully distinguished to walk in complete sanctification and holiness. 

After the Cross, the greatest discovery is to find the Promised Spirit of the New Covenant is for the express purpose of inspiring us to walk in obedience to the Living God. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Now, Peter’s inaugural sermon for the Church becomes more apparent. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). The Spirit of Christ inspires — not forces — us to obey God. Once forgiven, we again can walk with God. 

Father, we are so desirous not to make You angry. We understand our obedience is not a tribute to us, but homage to You that You work in us to will and to do of Your good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). May we learn to walk in Your Spirit to Your glory and to put to flight the enemy. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. In Your name, we pray. Amen. 

earth

Explanation: Blood of Jesus

Ken

The blood of Jesus is powerful because it represents the forgiveness of sins. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission [literally, forgiveness]” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). What is the significance of blood? Life given by God must be taken for blood to be offered in sacrifice for sin against life taken from God. “Now where remission [literally, forgiveness] of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (10:18-19). What is the significance of a sacrifice by Jesus? The perfect sacrifice of Jesus takes away the need of any further sacrifice. “10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 14 For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:10, 14, 16-18). Why does the devil hate the blood of Jesus, which represents the forgiveness of our sins? Not only does it rob him of sinners subject to him, but it represents the forgiveness or freedom from judgment for rebellion, which Yahweh could never wisely give the first heavenly rebels without preparing Heaven’s inhabitants for another uprising. The Ancient of Days would never allow this, for He has sworn by Himself no one will ever again enter into His realm, “whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (Revelation 22:15). Stand firm in this understanding and the devil “will flee from you” (James 4:7).  LORD, may we better appreciate the forgiveness of our sins that we may better share Your gift with others. And, as we cast out demons may we understand the power of Your blood in taking away the enemy’s rights to claim and hold his prey. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen. 

Prayer and Fasting

Ken

Diogenes looked for an honest man, but can one be found without the baggage of past sins? Jesus diagnosed His disciples’ failure to cast out a demon. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29 KJV). Forgotten wrongs by family members, church members, community members, or members of a nation, must be acknowledged, confessed, repented of, forgiveness given (if being withheld), and restitution made (where possible), before God can bless. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6 KJV).

When Faith Fails

Ken

The disciples failed to cast out a demon from an apparently epileptic boy. Jesus intervened. “All things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23 KJV). The distraught father cried out, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief” (9:24). The faith of both the father and the disciples failed them. After healing the boy, Jesus diagnosed the solution. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (9:29). The sins of the parents are visited upon the “children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:7 KJV). Deliverance is possible only through Spirit directed searching, confession, repentance, and forgiveness of sins by means of prayer and fasting. 

Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

Ken

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” wrote poet Robert Burns. Things don’t always work out as we planned. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8 KJV). Life is our opportunity to cast our vote for the LORD by trusting Him. Even after checking our heart, things may work out like God is angry with us; still, we should say like Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15 KJV). We want the world to have that same confidence in the LORD. “And the LORD passed by before him [Moses], and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:6-7 KJV). O LORD, in the same manner You treat the guilty, may Your treatment of us, who have confidence in You, be manifested in goodness upon us, our children, and our children’s children, to the third and fourth generation. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen.

Let Us Go On

Ken

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit” (Hebrews 6:1-3 KJV). The first “principles” (6:1) are elementary education preparation for “perfection” (6:1). Whenever we find ourselves “laying again the foundation of repentance” (6:1), it reveals something was wrong with our First Principles understanding. The Enemy doesn’t mind, if we keep doing the same thing over and over, hoping for a different result. Insanity! But, the Holy Spirit covenants to help us change our understanding, get it right, and go on. “And this will we do, if God permit” (6:3). Hallelujah!