Forgiven by God – Salvation
Feb 18, 2020 14:01:45 GMT -6
Post by Gene Whitehurst on Feb 18, 2020 14:01:45 GMT -6
“…in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col 1:14 NKJV)
When a person believes in Jesus Christ as his Savior from sin, a cluster of wonderful benefits are now given to and owned by the believer. In this verse is the word redemption means to be purchased from slavery – the slavery of sin. Forgiveness is the second in this verse – to be forgiven (completely and permanently) for your every sin. The believer is purchased and now owned by Jesus, and all of my sins are NOW forgiven. Jesus has paid for my sins, bought me, and now I belong to Him.
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1 NASB) This forgiveness by God also removes you from ANY condemnation (no punitive judgment) whatsoever. And another key word in this verse is the word ‘now.’ This deliverance from condemnation is not for some time in the future. It starts immediately upon belief in Jesus Christ and continues forever. Are we worthy – absolutely not. On our very best day as a human being on this earth, we are a sinner saved by grace. One day I’ll be with Him and the old sin nature will be removed from me.
“but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God…” (Heb 10:12) The sacrifice of Jesus for our sins on the cross was a one-time event, never to be repeated. The penalty for sin was laid on Jesus Christ on the cross for all mankind for all sins. “For Christ also suffered ONCE for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” (1 Pet 3:18, Heb 7:27, 8:1, many more)
“…but (God) is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Pet 3:9) He paid the penalty and invites all to believe (trust) in Him as their own personal Savior.
Jesus paid the penalty for your sin in full. It is done. It is finished. Now, if you have not already done so, He invites you to believe in Him as the One who died for your sins and for you to accept the forgiveness and the eternal life that He offers. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
What about good works – can they save? If I try to be as perfect as I can, will this grant me entrance into heaven? “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) There are many problems that one faces when approaching the idea of doing good works to gain entrance into heaven. The Bible indicates clearly in this verse that no good works of any kind are necessary or sufficient. Because the Bible does not define any works as sufficient, men make up ‘good’ works. These vary from one false teaching to the next. The ‘what are the good works’ and ‘how many good works are necessary’ varies. One will never have the confidence that they have done enough good things to get into heaven. God won’t allow a false system to satisfy and give peace of soul. One must accept the Scripture as authoritative and understand that salvation is not by works, but is by faith alone in Christ alone.
Jesus makes the offer of salvation to you this very day! Eternal life, forgiveness, no condemnation, and so much more is offered to you today. To reject God’s offer is a deadly decision. You will live a life of hopelessness about your future and you will die separated from God forever.
“…not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us…” (Titus 3:5)
The cross and the tomb were not the end. “He is not here; for He is risen…” (Matt 28:6) As our Savior and our God, we can live and serve Him and be with Him forever.
“…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31)
More articles on forgiveness coming later…
- Gene Whitehurst
When a person believes in Jesus Christ as his Savior from sin, a cluster of wonderful benefits are now given to and owned by the believer. In this verse is the word redemption means to be purchased from slavery – the slavery of sin. Forgiveness is the second in this verse – to be forgiven (completely and permanently) for your every sin. The believer is purchased and now owned by Jesus, and all of my sins are NOW forgiven. Jesus has paid for my sins, bought me, and now I belong to Him.
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1 NASB) This forgiveness by God also removes you from ANY condemnation (no punitive judgment) whatsoever. And another key word in this verse is the word ‘now.’ This deliverance from condemnation is not for some time in the future. It starts immediately upon belief in Jesus Christ and continues forever. Are we worthy – absolutely not. On our very best day as a human being on this earth, we are a sinner saved by grace. One day I’ll be with Him and the old sin nature will be removed from me.
“but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God…” (Heb 10:12) The sacrifice of Jesus for our sins on the cross was a one-time event, never to be repeated. The penalty for sin was laid on Jesus Christ on the cross for all mankind for all sins. “For Christ also suffered ONCE for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” (1 Pet 3:18, Heb 7:27, 8:1, many more)
“…but (God) is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Pet 3:9) He paid the penalty and invites all to believe (trust) in Him as their own personal Savior.
Jesus paid the penalty for your sin in full. It is done. It is finished. Now, if you have not already done so, He invites you to believe in Him as the One who died for your sins and for you to accept the forgiveness and the eternal life that He offers. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
What about good works – can they save? If I try to be as perfect as I can, will this grant me entrance into heaven? “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) There are many problems that one faces when approaching the idea of doing good works to gain entrance into heaven. The Bible indicates clearly in this verse that no good works of any kind are necessary or sufficient. Because the Bible does not define any works as sufficient, men make up ‘good’ works. These vary from one false teaching to the next. The ‘what are the good works’ and ‘how many good works are necessary’ varies. One will never have the confidence that they have done enough good things to get into heaven. God won’t allow a false system to satisfy and give peace of soul. One must accept the Scripture as authoritative and understand that salvation is not by works, but is by faith alone in Christ alone.
Jesus makes the offer of salvation to you this very day! Eternal life, forgiveness, no condemnation, and so much more is offered to you today. To reject God’s offer is a deadly decision. You will live a life of hopelessness about your future and you will die separated from God forever.
“…not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us…” (Titus 3:5)
The cross and the tomb were not the end. “He is not here; for He is risen…” (Matt 28:6) As our Savior and our God, we can live and serve Him and be with Him forever.
“…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31)
More articles on forgiveness coming later…
- Gene Whitehurst