If we ever find ourselves wondering how many of our sins did Jesus Christ atone for, we probably need to give the matter more thought.
We’ve heard it said that once we accept Christ, either we simply don’t sin anymore, or else when we do sin, it’s very, very bad news. But John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). I don’t see a “sell by” date on that, do you?
Think about it. Jesus Christ died on the cross in propitiation for our sins–for the sins of everyone in the world who accepts Him as Savior. He did this centuries before we were born–before we had committed any sins at all. So how can there be a cut-off point? Like, the Atonement doesn’t cover any sins committed after my 35th birthday?
No, no, no–He covers all our sins. His blood is our plea before God’s judgment seat. The penalty has already been imposed–on Him. The fine has already been paid–by Him.
Even so: even having known this good news, and believed it: even so, it’ll be a fearful thing to stand before that judgment seat.
And that’s a big something to think about.
Very true. I think of it very often. Remembering the way He suffered in the Garden, before! His crucifixion brings tears to my eyes every time. The bearing of all those horrible sins was so painful that His sweat poured out in great drops. Imagine (of course, we can’t really) what it was like for a
holy, perfect man to accept all that filth being heaped on Him. Impossible
to imagine. This is the reason we need to be careful in our walk with Him, never taking His grace for granted.
Amen, Erlene! When I hear people taking His grace for granted, off-handedly treating Jesus so cavalierly as to say they can continue in the same sinning lifestyle and be forgiven, I can’t imagine what they were taught about true repentance.
Hint: nothing.
Good points, Lee. Obviously, we don’t want to act presumptuously with regard to sin, we have to do our part to the best of our abilities, but we have foregiveness in abundance when we need it, and we all need it.
With all the awfulness in the world today, I thought maybe we could use an uplifting story:
https://fellowshipoftheminds.com/2017/09/12/marine-veteran-amputee-reaches-summit-of-mount-kilimanjaro/
A small tour group to the Holy Land was at the Place of a skull. The tour guide asked if anyone had been here before? One person spoke out that he had, 2000 years ago when Jesus died for his sins.