The Forgiveness of Sins, A Precious Truth

Though many make efforts to remain happy on this earth, no one has ever succeeded to maintaining that happiness eternally. One may try to go on an extended vacation, but all to soon, the vacation comes to an end. Another may experience a sudden and unexpected loss. Everyone experiences sorrow. Why is this the case? To understand this, we must study about the soul and how to receive the forgiveness of sins.

Heaven, our true home

Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breathe of life, and the man became a living being.”

God created all mankind by combining the dust of the ground and the breathe of life. The tangible dust of the ground represents the physical flesh, while the intangible breathe of life represents the spirit. However, when we die, these two components separate and teach us about our origin.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 “and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

In accordance with the Bible, our bodies are buried in the ground when we die. However, the spirit returns to God who dwells in heaven. As one cannot return to a place he/she has never been, this teaches us that our spirits were once angels in the kingdom on heaven with God. King Solomon and Job testified to this.

Proverbs 8:22-30 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old, I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be … when there were no watery depths, I was given birth… before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth … Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence.”

According to history, King Solomon existed around 950 B.C. However, he repeatedly emphasizes his existence 4.6 billions years ago when the earth was formed. As very few are able to live beyond 100 years, it is clear King Solomon is not referring to his flesh but rather his spirit. King Solomon’s spirit existed as an angel by God’s side “filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence”.

Job 38:1-4 “Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said ‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.”

Job 38:21 “Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!”

When God questions Job regarding his whereabouts during the creation of the earth, He also enlightens Job that Job existed in the beginning. Just as King Solomon existed as an angel, Job was also an angels in the kingdom of heaven. Then why does the Bible include these two testimonies? They teach us that we once existed in the kingdom of heaven with God. Once upon a time, we only knew the eternal happiness of heaven and delighted in God’s presence. So, why are we on this earth? Christ gives us the answer through His explanation regarding His mission on earth.

Sinners destined to die

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Christ taught that He came seeking those who were lost from heaven (i.e. he came seeking us). But why were we lost from heaven?

Matthew 9:13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Again, Christ describes the status of those he came seeking; sinners. From this, we can understand that we were lost from the kingdom of heaven because of sin we committed against God in heaven.

How can we expect to go back to heaven without being forgiven of our sins? How can we ask for the forgiveness of our sins without understanding the gravity of the sin we committed against God? Would our plea for forgiveness and acts of repentance be sincere?

To understand the severity of our sin, let us assess the judicial system. In the judicial system, a person dwells in society until he/she commits a crime. Once the crime is committed, the person is sent to jail. In the same way, our society was once the kingdom of heaven until we sinned against God. After that, we were cast down to this earth. Therefore, we can look at this earth as a spiritual prison. This is why we face pain and sorrow on this earth; because we are under punishment. However, what is our punishment? In the judicial system, we understand that the longer a person is sentenced to prison, the more heinous the crime committed. The worst punishment a person can be sentenced to is the death penalty. This penalty is reserved for one whose crime is absolutely unforgivable. If society were to learn that a death row inmate had escaped from prison and was lurking in a neighborhood, there would be fear and panic because the payment for the crime speaks volumes about the severity of the crime. Understanding this, let us see what the bible says regarding the payment we should make for our sin.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The bible teaches that the wickedness of our sin was deserving of the death sentence. The crime of one who is sentenced to death is unforgivable. A death row inmate sits in a waiting cell not knowing when his final day would be. His only wish would be to be forgiven of his crime.

As we wander on earth stained with our unforgivable sin, many easily speak of hope for heaven. Why? This is only because of God’s grace taught in the Bible. As grace is undeserving mercy, it is important to not treat it lightly or lackadaisically. Whatever God teaches as the way to be forgiven of our sin are the exact instructions we should follow in order to receive the blessings in that grace.

What steps did Christ teach us to follow in order to be forgiven of our sins?

Forgiveness of sins, by grace

Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace”

God’s established way to forgive us of our unforgivable sin was through receiving His blood. How can we receive Christs blood?

Matthew 26:26-28 “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”

According to verse 17, the disciples were making preparations to keep the Passover according to Christs instructions. In keeping the Passover, Christ testified to them that the cup of wine represented His blood. This is the same blood needed by mankind for the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, the Passover is the grace that Christ gave for us to receive the forgiveness of sins. As only God can forgive us of our sins, only God can establish the Passover. This is why Christ came to the earth (Luke 19:10).

The Passover that represents Christs flesh and blood is not a mere metaphor. The very next day, Christs’ suffering began. He was flogged, spat on and beaten. His flesh was torn and His blood poured out in volumes. The agonizing pain He endured is unmatchable. Yet, knowing what He was yet to undergo, He patiently followed until the very end. Why? Whom did Christ have in mind as He was sacrificed?

Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for the undeserving

Luke 22:20 “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’”

Christ only thought of us as He was sacrificed. Though our sin was unforgivable, Christ eagerly did not want have to face the death penalty.

However, the Passover which Christ sacrificed Himself to give to us, was abolished in 325 A.D. at the Council of Nicaea. Without the Passover, what hope does mankind have to be forgiven? Remembering that only Christ can establish the Passover, this explains why the bible testifies that He would come again a second time in the flesh.

Hebrews 9:28 “so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Christs’ first appearance refers to His coming to earth in the flesh. Therefore, for the bible to reference his reappearance, this shows that He has to come again in the flesh.

Though no man would return to a place where he was abused, Christ Ahnsahnghong came to the earth again to restore the lost Passover. Once again, He faced scorn and ridicule from His own creation. Nonetheless, He continued to deliver the truth of the Passover to all mankind stained with sin. As unforgivable sinners what can we do to show Christ how thankful we are for His great sacrifice?

How can we repay Christ?

Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

To show our repentance to Christ, we must follow the way He established for us to be redeem of our sins; by keeping the Passover. Through such humble obedience, the bible teaches that God would be over joyed! Though there is nothing we can ever do to fully repay God, we have been given a way to show our appreciation. Understanding this, let us be the ones to receive the Passover that Christ Ahnsahnghong has re-established for us with a thankful and joyful heart.

Though many make efforts to remain happy on this earth, no one has ever succeeded to maintaining that happiness eternally. One may try to go on an extended vacation, but all to soon, the vacation comes to an end. Another may experience a sudden and unexpected loss. Everyone experiences sorrow. Why is this the case? To understand this, we must study about the soul and how we a blessed with the forgiveness of sins.