Your Sins Are, And Have Been Forgiven!

This story of forgiveness by God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, is key to understanding the total forgiveness that happened at the cross. In much the same way that as the Jewish teachers of the law of that day were harboring hatred toward Jesus, we now have new teachers of the law today upset with the total forgiveness that is found only in Christ Jesus.

Many Have Heard the Story About How Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men. Matthew 9

Reading the story above is definitely a miracle of healing, but there was an even greater miracle, that being forgiveness of sins. Prior to the death of Jesus on the cross, where Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, Jesus saying, "Your sins are forgiven," was in direct contradiction to the Jewish teachers of the law. Under the Mosaic Law, no one got their sins forgiven without bringing a sacrifice for sin to the temple of God. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness or atonement through a blood sacrifice. However, the Old Covenant, under the law of God, given to the Israelites, did not actually take away your sins, but it covered them, or as is stated in the Old Testament, the sacrifice was an atonement sin offering. So, you can imagine that when Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven," the teachers of the law viewed Jesus' saying this was like a mere man claiming to be God, and that was blaspheme, for only God could forgive sins. They went ballistic.

And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, except God alone? Luke 5:21

So, Jesus showed us and the people around at that time that he has the power to forgive sins, by giving the physical healing miracle sign for all to see and read about today. Jesus is God in the flesh and has the authority to forgive sins.

At the cross, Jesus did more than forgive this man his sins, he forgave the sins of the whole world.

How Does The Religious World Do Forgiveness?

Today, we have an unbelieving generation of people that are involved in the religious systems today and getting involved with the sin that so easily entangles. Catholics teach that you must go confess your sins to the priests to get your sins forgiven. Protestants teach that you can ask for forgiveness directly and have your sins forgiven. Both the Catholics and the Protestants use select items of scripture in order to convince the world that they are right. Other religions of the world teach that you must do something in order for God to do something for you. Meanwhile, God is saying, "I have forgiven the whole world, now believe it and receive eternal life." It is finished. No more sacrifices for sins, no more asking God to do what he has already done. If there was any more forgiveness required by God, Jesus would have to die all over again, and I can tell you that is not going to happen. Even in the religion of Judaism, forgiveness is structured on a to do list. Judaism teaches today, since the destruction of the Temple, that forgiveness is obtained through repentance, prayer and good deeds. The fundamental question of Judaism comes into play is how many prayers and how many good deeds will earn enough forgiveness from God? Read understanding of falling away from God in Hebrews chapter 6 for more information about Judaism.

Forgiveness is all by God

Forgiveness is received and not gotten. You don't get your sins forgiven. Your sins have already been forgiven. My sins have been forgiven. The world's sins have been forgiven. Everyones' sins have been taken away. Now, receive forgiveness, receive Jesus, and receive eternal life.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, 'A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.' I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." Jesus the Lamb of God

Behold Jesus, who took away your sins.

So, the question is not, "How can I get my sins forgiven today?" but rather how do I receive forgiveness of sins today. This is a straw man question of how to be forgiven of yours and my sins today by God. It's not a question of how to ask God for forgiveness, but one of receiving forgiveness by faith in Jesus that God himself provided, for the sins of the whole world on the cross, 2000 years ago. If you are still questioning forgiveness and confession of sins, with questions in regards to the "Lord's Prayer" in the book of Mathew 6, verse 12, and the letter of 1 John 1:9, then I suggest you click those two links with detailed overviews, and read those particular passages with the understanding of the context and historical significance at that period of time.

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