Forgiveness

Forgiveness.  We have been reading a lot of instructions God has provided to His people in the Old Testament in order that they might have forgiveness.  The instructions could vary dependent upon the sin.  The instructions included an acknowl:7edgement of the guilt, a sacrifice, and even restitution to the person wronged, if applicable.  However, in every instance when the people obeyed the Lord in dealing with their sin, God granted forgiveness.  We read the repeated phrase “he will be forgiven” (Leviticus 5:10, 13, 16, 18; Leviticus 6:7).  It was, and is, important to know that forgiveness is secured.  The people knew they were forgiven when they obeyed the instructions of God in dealing with their sin.  We must also, by faith, know that we have forgiveness when we obey the Lord’s commands about dealing with our sin.  For salvation, we know “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).  Sin does not cease upon salvation, even though we long for that.  We read, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world (1 John 2:1-2).  Jesus has made the way for forgiveness.