Forgiven

Forgiven.  I have highlighted each time I read the phrase, or something similar, “he will be forgiven” in our reading today.  You can find some as an example in Leviticus 5:10, 13, 16, and 18).  The context around each is the description of a sin that was committed and the sacrifice necessary to present to atone for the respective sin.  I recently had the opportunity to share this concept, that I have shared at other times in the past.  I like to ask the question, “how did the people know their sins were forgiven?”.  The answer is “because God said so”.  We can sometimes doubt ourselves because we know ourselves and we fail.  But we need to remember that God is faithful and He never fails, nor can He break a promise.  When the people sinned, if they followed the instructions that God provided, then they could rest assured that their sin was forgiven.  This is certainly no license to sin.  Also, the Old Testament was pointing to God’s ultimate atonement for sin, the blood of the precious Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.  However, the same principle applies.  Consider this verse: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9).  How do we know we have been saved?  Because God said so.  That is faith.