Devotionals

Your sins are forgiven

by Precieux Orhue
06/05/15
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“He is able to save completely all who come to God through him. Since he will live forever, he will always be there to remind God that he has paid for their sins with his blood.” – Hebrews 7:25 (TLB).

“Your sins are forgiven” is probably the most controversial statement that could be said to anyone. It is often greeted with doubt, given that only one who has supreme authority and an idea of the gravity of sin in question can absolutely determine if there could be forgiveness. Skeptical responses to this statement may include, “you have no idea what I’ve done!”, “could this be possible?”, “just like that?” On several occasions, the Pharisees either marveled at or questioned the authority with which Jesus made this statement to people.  However, “your sins are forgiven” are the most important words you’ll ever hear.

When Christ walked the earth, He made proclamations that all of the teachers of the law, religious leaders and people in general had never heard any of the prophets make before. He spoke with authority and often disclosed truths that were unfamiliar. For instance, He talked about Himself as the resurrection and life. He proclaimed forgiveness to all who looked to him irrespective of their past or predicament. Interestingly, he did this often times without their asking. The prostitute who wiped His feet with her hair and anointed them with ointment (Luke 7:36-50), the paralyzed man who was let down the roof into the midst during one of His teaching sessions (Luke 5:17-26) and the criminal who requested to be remembered in God’s kingdom (Luke 23:39-43). Just a simple demonstration of faith in him was enough for anyone to earn complete forgiveness. Only God can forgive sins; and this was proof that He himself was God. These words “your sins are forgiven” are not just mere consolation, but a phrase backed with tremendous power on an ultimately valid basis.

Friend, the reason why there is validity in this statement is that the power of sin has been undone. Over 2000 years ago on a cross at Calvary, the son of God as a ransom for our sins, paid in full the price for our justification and redemption. The bible says in 1 John 2:2 that Christ is the appeasement for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world! His payment was more than enough to atone for the sins of every person that ever walked or would walk the earth! It wasn’t a split payment divided between us and Himself, He paid it all (Isaiah 53:6). In exchange, God imputed His righteousness in us. For the believer in Christ, when God assesses you, He doesn’t see any of your old self or your person. All He sees is His righteousness in the finished work of His son, Jesus. “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV).

Consider this illustration; John was guilty of breaking a rare artifact and was required by law to replace it. But John cannot afford it and doesn’t have the means or finance to replace this expensive artifact, so he is left to wallow in desolation. Along comes a person who has the means to pay for this artifact in full and would still have abundant to spare. He offers an overpayment for this damaged artifact out of love and vindicates John in the process. His debt has been cleared and he is fully forgiven. John has to know, believe and accept the ransom from this person in order to live in peace and freedom. If he doesn’t believe or accept this, he keeps fleeing and futilely struggles to pay a debt that has already been cleared. In the same way, Jesus makes known to us that our sins are all forgiven. When we walk in the knowledge of this revelation, we live in perfect peace and freedom, and all of God’s blessings of healing, prosperity and all you could ever ask or think will follow.