Colossians 2: 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins. --NIV
In the name of the One Who forgave us all our sins, amen.
What part do you intend to play in the forgiveness of your sins? Are you going to make good on the temporal part of your sins so that God will do the rest? Are you going to wait to ask for forgiveness until you really feel guilty? Are you going to help the poor, pray more often, start doing a morning devotion? What part are you going to do?
When Holy Scripture speaks of justification, it is speaking of the fact that in Christ Jesus all our sins are forgiven. It is this fact that makes us alive with Christ. Imagine yourself in court. The judge reads the list of crimes that you have committed, and it comes out that you have broken every law on the books. Worse than that, you broken them many times. In shame and fear you hang your head and confess, "It is true, I have done it all."
The judge then reads the penalty for such crimes, "Death!"
At that moment your government-appointed defense attorney stands up. "Your Honor," he says, "These crimes have already been paid for by death." Then he hands the judge an official looking document. The judge looks it over as you stare in disbelief. Bang! goes the judges gavel, "Case dismissed."
Your crimes have been paid for by death. When the sentence is death, there is no reason for probation, public service, or any other punishment. So, you walk out of the courtroom totally free.
This is how it is for us. The punishment of our sins is death as it is written in Romans 6: 23, but Christ Jesus died in our place, and so we go free. There is nothing for us to do. We play no part in it. The only thing left is for us to give thanks to God that He has done such a wonderful thing. So, what part are you going to play in the forgiveness of your sins? None, absolutely none. Amen.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for suffering our death penalty. Help us by Your Holy Spirit to always give You thanks for this great sacrifice, amen.