Some Christians believe that although you have
forgiveness of sins, you are not free from the penalties of your sins. In other
words, you can still expect punishment from God. For example, some married
Christian couples have been told that they are childless because God is
punishing them for having had pre-marital sex. So although God has forgiven
them of that sin, He still has to punish them for it.
I am certainly not for pre-marital sex, but I
want you to know that God, who is the only one who can fully appreciate the
full value of His Son’s blood and who is completely satisfied by His Son’s
sacrifice, is at rest in His heart today concerning your sins! That is why He
is not against you even when you fail. Neither is He out to punish you when you
sin. No, He still loves you, is for you and wants to help you overcome that
sin.
In the Old Testament, the blood of bulls and
goats could only “cover” sins and not take them away (see Hebrews 10:4). But
the blood of Jesus is not like the blood of animals! For by one sacrifice,
the eternal blood of the Son of God has forever removed your
sins (see Psalm 103:12) and cleansed you of all unrighteousness
(see 1 John 1:9)! In fact, God is so satisfied with His Son’s perfect work that
He says to you today, “Your sins and lawless deeds I will by no means
remember!” (see Hebrews 10:17). And if God does not remember them, why would He
punish you for them?
Beloved, you have “redemption
through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His
grace.” Because Jesus’ work is complete, all your sins have
been completely forgiven. And complete forgiveness means that
the penalties for your sins can no longer fall on you because they had already
fallen on Jesus at the cross (see Isaiah 53:5).
So don’t think for one moment that God is
punishing you for some sin just because something bad happened to you. Look to
the cross and know that all your sins have already been punished fully in the
body of Christ. Believe that God is for you and expect victory! (Article & Picture; courtesy of Joseph Prince
Ministries used with kind permission).
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