Romans 4:6-8 (KJV)
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Did you know that God has forgiven you of all trespasses by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Many today like to quote verses like, Matthew 6:12, Luke 11:4, or 1John 1:9, when speaking about forgiveness. The main idea behind these verses is that you must do something to receive forgiveness. Whether it be forgiving others, or confessing sins. However, each of those things are works and the passage we just quoted teaches us that those who are forgiven without works are blessed, or happy.
Why does there seem to be a contradiction between these four verses?
There is a simple explanation that you may not have heard about. God has changed the way in which He deals with man. David never understood what it meant to be forgiven without works, but he knew how much his life would have changed had he known. Notice, he only described the blessedness of the man to whom God would impute righteousness without works, who would have sins forgiven, and who would not have sins put to his charge. You and I live in an amazing time where God is not imputing our trespasses against us and He has given us, unto those who believe, His righteousness. He has given us His righteousness as a free gift because we are no longer under the law of sin. Romans chapters five and six is very clear about this truth.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 are our marching orders for today. The passage clearly states, "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
How amazing is that truth?
God gave unto the Apostle Paul an amazing gospel to preach to the world, Jew and Gentile without separation. Many in Christendom have long since left that message behind to preach unto the world a gospel meant only for the Nation of Israel, who rejected it, first.
Something changed in the book of Acts. Ask your pastor to explain it. I am sure he knows. If not, come back as we continue this study of living forgiven, in 2013.
Grace and peace,
Greg Resor
Complete in Him
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