(Acts 13:36-43)
There are a lot of really good scriptures in the Bible…well ALL of them are actually! But, every now and then you come across something so profound, yet so simple, that it will just blow your mind.
These few scriptures are one of those sections.
These few words include a statement that is so powerful it drives to the core of why Jesus came, what Christianity and the new covenant is all about. It tells us why he came, what the purpose of His coming was for and the promise that only He is able to deliver.
Get this and you get it all. Understand these most important words and everything in the bible falls into place.
And yet so few understand them, so let’s look at what is being said here and pass this post on to as many people as you can in the hope that they might “get it” too.
It’s Unbelievable
Why do people not “get it” even today? Surely the Bible has been read, commented on, analysed and studied in so many ways for so many years that there can be nothing that has not been seen and understood?
Well the scripture in this section tells us otherwise. Verse 41 says this,
“‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”
A work that you will not believe, even if one tells you. That was what The Lord said through the prophets and it holds still today. The work that Jesus did is still a mystery to most because they cannot believe it possible. They want to cling to what they know, even if it is damaging to them, even if it prevents them finding the fulness of what The Lord has to offer in this new way because they don’t believe it could be possible.
Why? Because they still believe there are limits to what God can and has already done. And they are in this frame of mind because that is what they are being taught by their ministers and teachers rather than listening to the voice of God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Let us look at more of what this section has to say.
Forgiveness of Sin
Verse 38 tells us that through Jesus Christ God proclaims to you the forgiveness of your sins. But it is even more than that. If you read John 1:29 we see that the work that Jesus did was more than simple forgiveness of sins, He removed our sins. Yes that’s right, Jesus did not just forgive your sins, He took them away once and for all time. John 1:29 says,
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (My emphasis)
This is one of the primary reasons why Jesus came…to take away your sins. Taken away, not just forgiven and sitting in the background somewhere, but taken away. This raises an interesting question and a dilemma.
If Jesus has taken away your sins, are you a sinner? Can you be a sinner if the God of Creation sent His son to die as the ultimate sacrifice for your sins and has TAKEN AWAY your sins?
And if Jesus has taken away your sins, and He has because the Bible says so, do you still call yourself a sinner? Do you still say’ “I am a sinner,” even now knowing that God the Father and Jesus Christ have said, “No you’re not because we took them away and replaced them with something much better.”
In Jesus by faith and through the grace of God the Father our sins have been taken away, and where there is no sin you have…righteousness. That is what God replaced your sins with. Righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ. And all you have to do to have it is believe.v
Freedom from Law
But now you say, “Don’t we still have to keep the law of God? What about the Ten Commandments?”
Well this section of scripture also tells us about that too. Verse 39 says,
“…and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”
Everyone who believes. That is, if you have faith, because to believe is to have faith.
But what does this faith do? This faith has, “… freed you from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” By faith in Jesus Christ you have been given freedom and life. You have been set free not just from sin, but set free from the law of Moses too because it could not do for you what Jesus could do.
The law is good, but Christ is better. The law could give you an excellent standard of life, but faith in Jesus Christ can give you perfection in the way you live your life and eternal life. The law can show you what is required, but faith in Jesus Christ will transform you into the image of God. Want scriptural proof of these things? Then check the following out.
Hebrews 7:18-19 says,
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 7:11 says,
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
2 Corinthians 3:18 says,
And we all, with unveiled face, be holding the glory of The Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from The Lord who is the Spirit.
It was necessary for the law to be taken away and for sin to be taken away, and both these things happen through faith in Jesus Christ. God will not have sin in His presence, so it must be removed if we are to come into the presence of God. But even more, if God simply forgave all your past sins, the next time you screw up and break one of the laws, BAM… You have sinned and you are a sinner again and the whole process falls apart.
But if God takes away the law, which He has done in Jesus Christ, then you can’t break the law. And if you can’t break the law you do not commit sin, and no, this is NOT a license to go out and do whatever you like. God did not do this so you could sin without fear of retribution or judgement. He did it so that sin would not stand in the way between man and God so that He would then be able to help man become perfect as He is perfect.
Look at these scriptures.
For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. (Romans 4:15)
for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. (Romans 5:13)
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
Sin does not exist where the law has been taken away because you can’t break what you are not under. And you cannot be perfect if you are a sinner. And if you call yourself a sinner you are saying that God and Jesus Christ were wrong when they said you are not.
But you need to know specifically how all of this works. What is the mechanism and process of this faith that takes away sin and takes away the law so that God can and will step in to bring you to perfection? Do you even believe it is possible to be perfect? And if you don’t think it is possible, are you willing to call god a liar when that was part of the purpose of Him sending His son to die for you so that you could be perfect, free from sin and free from the law.
When you call yourself a sinner you limit the power of God and you say that He must be wrong. He’s not. He can do anything, including taking away your sins, removing you from the law and making you perfect in His sight. It is not too hard a thing for God to do, but you have to first believe and have faith that he can and will do these things because faith is the key.
Time and space here don’t permit me to go further. Will you accept and believe these things or not? There is so much more I can say about these things and I am willing to show you what The Lord has shown to me. Write to me, comment or catch me on Twitter if you want to know and discuss this more. And pass this on to others who can also learn these things for God has given this insight for any who care to seek it.
(Photo sourced from stock.xchng. Name of photographer not given)
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Hi! I’m John, the owner, author, and editor of this site. Over the past 50+ years as a Christian I have been teaching, preaching and writing about the Bible to help Christians gain a deeper insight into the scriptures that are easily understood. I also answer specific Bible related questions, so feel free to contact me.
