What must I do?
Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins.
I cannot recount how many times, people have come up to me in counselling sessions, wondering if they are really saved or not. It’s alarming how little believers do understand about the Finished work of Jesus Christ.
Many believers are always talking about what they are doing, or have done, as an indication of whether or not they have been saved or not. The New Covenant is not about what we do, rather is about what we believe.
Jesus prophesied a radical statement in the book of Mark 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme.
At the time, he made this statement, he was speaking of its ultimate fulfilment at the Cross.
The offering for our sins
We have learned that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). Unlike the old temple offerings, that had to be offered yearly, the blood of Christ was poured out from the Garden to his death, one time (Hebrews 9:25-26).
We also know that there was a point when the offering was completed, because after Jesus finished, he sat at the right hand of God, meaning that Jesus is not going to be pouring out any more blood for future forgiveness (Hebrews 10:12).
We know that the offering was complete, for all sin, past present and future, not just for Believers, but for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2). Now, there is no more need for any further offering for sin (Hebrews 10:18).
We have been forgiven
Because of the sacrifice of Christ, God was able to look at the world which he so loved and say, I forgive you, even before we came to faith (Colossians 2:13).
We have been forgiven, past tense, because of the blood of Jesus. For God to forgive us at some future date, we would need another blood offering.
But Jesus is not going to come and die again for sins. His blood was enough, and we have been forgiven and justified, with zero human effort or intervention at all(Romans 5:9 ).
We have been forgiven, because of what Jesus has done for us 2000 years ago. This is the cornerstone of Christian belief, the total and absolute forgiveness of our past, present and future sins.
It is so important that even Peter wrote concerning those who do not have the attributes that believers should have in 2 Peter 1:5-9. He blamed the failure of doing all those good things on our failure to remember our forgiveness of sins. (2 Peter 1:9).
By faith in his finished work, we no longer ask for forgiveness. Rather we thank him for his forgiveness by his Blood. In fact to believe we have been forgiven and still ask for forgiveness is double-minded.
What is forgiveness?
Now, I’m not against repentance and confession. But those things are not what give us forgiveness. Forgiveness is by God’s grace through the blood of Christ.
It is not a reward for our works or contrition (Ephesians 1:7). It is because we live in a forgiven state, that we are free to come and share our mistakes and shortcomings with the Father. Not to be forgiven, but rather because it’s all part of having a healthy relationship. (Colossians 1:14)
Is Your Salvation Secured?
If you are struggling today to know that your salvation is secured, there is good news.
If you believe that all your sins are forgiven, past, present and future because of what Jesus has done, then you are saved.
You can have knowledge of salvation by believing that you have been forgiven and justified of all sins, past present and future by his Blood. (Luke 1:77) That is Good News that will change your life!