{"id":1160,"date":"2009-11-16T15:16:39","date_gmt":"2009-11-16T13:16:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/blog\/?p=1160"},"modified":"2009-11-16T15:16:39","modified_gmt":"2009-11-16T13:16:39","slug":"law-grace-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/?p=1160","title":{"rendered":"Law &#038; Grace &#8211; Part 3"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Last week in Part 2, I have dealt with the following issues regarding Faith &amp; Grace:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You first need to have an understanding of the Law of Moses and its application before you will truly understand the full spectrum of God\u2019s grace to you.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Although the penalty of the Law was applied without any mercy on violators, the purpose and benefit of the Law was good because it was intended for the protection and guidance of the people of Israel.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This brings me to a previous part of my life when I was still doing skydiving.\u00a0 Yes, that means jumping from airplanes that are flying perfectly well. \u00a0In order to make the sport as safe as possible for everyone, we had a set of rules to abide <!--more-->to, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Safe opening height in freefall is 2500vt above ground<\/li>\n<li>Regular equipment and buddy checks before exiting the plane,<\/li>\n<li>The emergency parachute was required to be repacked by qualified packer every 6 months, etc<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some of these rules and regulations seemed a bit too much, but looking at it from the point that you fall 1000vt every 5 seconds makes the sport potentially very dangerous.\u00a0 That leaves you with approximately 5-10seconds to dump the emergency chute when you have a high speed malfunction.\u00a0 And you will always find someone who wants push the envelope and open up lower as prescribed.\u00a0 But staying within these parameters I could really enjoy the sport as well as the freedom of flying \u2013 (I know you might say<em> \u201cfalling with a high speed\u201d) <\/em><\/p>\n<p>Therefore, the intention of these laws is very good because it is there for your protection and guidance.\u00a0 If you were to overstep these boundaries, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">the penalties<\/span> were swift and direct which every skydiver dreaded:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Being grounded for a period of 4 -6 weeks, or<\/li>\n<li>Being banned from the local club; or<\/li>\n<li>It could even result in the death of someone.\u00a0 (Praise the Lord it never happened during my time in the sport).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It really is only when you accept the purpose of <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">any law<\/span> that you will find true freedom in your life.\u00a0 Once again, God released us from the penalty of sin, but not to be lawless and rebellious.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>1Pe 2:16<\/strong>\u00a0 <strong><em>Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God&#8217;s servants.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Jas 1:25<\/strong>\u00a0 <strong><em>But the one who looks at the perfect law of freedom and remains committed to it-thus proving that he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of what it requires-will be blessed in what he does.<\/em><\/strong> (ISV)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">In the third Part of this study, I would like to discuss the forgiveness of sins with you with an opening statement that might shock you: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>You cannot <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ask<\/span> for forgiveness of sins! <\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I know I have done it many times in my ministry and hear other preachers also proclaiming to people that they have to ask for forgiveness of their sins.\u00a0 But, if there is no such scripture to support this practice, then it might be unbiblical?<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s examine the Word of God to see the truth on the matter.\u00a0 In the book of Acts the following scripture says that God has exalted Jesus Christ to be a Savior, <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">for to give<\/span><\/strong> repentance and forgiveness of sins:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Act 5:31<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 <strong><em>Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. <\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>That means the moment when you repent and confess your sins, you receive the forgiveness.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Acts 26:15 \u2013 18<\/span><\/strong> Saul (later Paul) had his encounter with Jesus and in verse 18 Jesus says the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Act 26:18<\/span><\/strong> <strong><em>To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Then in both the following verses, Paul makes another statement that we have the forgiveness of sins already:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Eph 1:7<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 <strong><em>In whom we <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">have<\/span> redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Col 1:14<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 <strong><em>In whom we <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">have <\/span>redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This word \u201c<strong><em>have\u201d<\/em><\/strong> is from the Greek word \u201cecho\u201d which is a primary verb, meaning \u201cto hold\u201d in the following applications:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As in possession;<\/li>\n<li>As in ability<\/li>\n<li>Or as in relation or a condition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So, in summary of these verses, we see that repentance and forgiveness of sins <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">is given<\/span>, on the one hand and then Paul says we <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">already have it<\/span> in possession.\u00a0 There is no scripture where you can or have to ask for forgiveness of sins.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Jesus said in the book of John, that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Joh 6:44<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 <strong><em>No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him to life on the last day.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In other words, you will not even be able to achieve this through your own decision or performance.\u00a0 It is through the love of God that you are drawn to Jesus and then you receive the forgiveness of all your sins through His Grace \u2013 past, present and future:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Rom 3:24<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 <strong><em>By his grace they are justified freely through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,<\/em><\/strong><em> <\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Rom 8:1-2<\/span><\/em><\/strong><em> \u00a0<strong>Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in union with Christ Jesus.\u00a0 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.<\/strong> <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The fact that <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">all our sins<\/span> (past, present and future) have already been dealt with by the blood of Jesus on the very same day when He was crucified, is maybe a bit mind blowing but bear with me in this regard as I will discuss this point further.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Maybe you are thinking now<\/span><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>How is it possible that Jesus has already provided the forgiveness of my sins which I have not done yet? <\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>How can I accept this type of reasoning? <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Well, the answer is quite straight forward:<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jesus died and provided the forgiveness of all your sins (past, present and future) <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">before <\/span><\/strong>you were even born and <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">long before <\/span><\/strong>you have done all those terrible things in your past.<em> <\/em><\/li>\n<li>So why is it then so difficult to believe that even your future sins have already been forgiven \u2013 you just have to accept and acknowledge the fact.\u00a0 <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">But remember:<\/span><\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>This does not give us carte blanche to go and sin and live according to the ways of the world!\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>But it does mean we should stop living in a self-destruction and self-condemnation manner.\u00a0 Jesus loves you and He died for you because of His love for you.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Start rejoicing and truly <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">LIVE <\/span><\/strong>in His grace by being free from all sin and anxiety. This includes the anxiety and fearfulness of being in the presence of God and <em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">the possibility that you might sin today.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><em>See the following scripture: <\/em>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Heb 9:12<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 <strong><em>Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he went into the Holy of Holies once for all and secured our eternal redemption.<\/em><\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Jesus was and will only be crucified <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">once <\/span>for all who believe.<\/li>\n<li>He <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">secured <\/span><\/strong>\/fastened \/obtained our <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">eternal redemption<\/span><\/strong> through His blood.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I want to stress the point again \u2013 we have <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">received<\/span><\/strong> the forgiveness of sins.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to ask for it! There is no such scripture that you have to ask for it.\u00a0 Forgiveness of all sins in the world has already been given on the day Jesus died on the cross.\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Does it mean that all people in the world are already saved?\n<ul>\n<li>No, definitely not!\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Only those who <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">accept Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on the Cross through faith<\/span> will release this wonderful gift of grace and forgiveness of sins in their lives.\u00a0\n<ul>\n<li>Forgiveness of sins is received<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> through grace<\/span><\/strong>, which off course is received through<strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> <em>faith in the redemptive<\/em> offer of Jesus Christ.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Therefore you only have to accept this redemptive offer of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary through faith to receive this amazing gift of grace and forgiveness of all your sins.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Stay connected for the next portion on this subject which will follow in due course.\u00a0 \u00a0Please give us some feedback on this topic in regard with any questions or concerns you may have in this regard.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<strong><em>Eric Heath is the Senior Pastor of End Time Pentecostal Ministries in Danville, South Africa and also the President of Galilee International Ministries (SA) and he is available to minister on this subject as well as other major subjects concerning our life in Christ.\u00a0 He can be contacted through this website by completing the box as provided below.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class='wp_likes' id='wp_likes_post-1160'><a class='like' href=\"javascript:wp_likes.like(1160);\" title='' ><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.galmin.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-likes\/images\/like.png?w=750&#038;ssl=1\" alt='' border='0'\/><\/a><span class='text'>Be the first to like.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class='like' ><a href=\"javascript:wp_likes.like(1160);\">Like<\/a><\/div>\n<div class='unlike' ><a href=\"javascript:wp_likes.unlike(1160);\">Unlike<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last week in Part 2, I have dealt with the following issues regarding Faith &amp; Grace: You first need to have an understanding of the Law of Moses and its application before you will truly understand the full spectrum of God\u2019s grace to you.\u00a0 Although the penalty of the Law [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-inzpired"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9rp4V-iI","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1160"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1161,"href":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1160\/revisions\/1161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.galmin.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}