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Morning Thoughts |
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This morning, the thought
that stirs our minds is the subject of our position in Christ. Quite often, a
certain thing takes on many different facets, and each shows forth a different
angle into the beauty of the object or circumstance under consideration. For
example, a diamond or other precious stone shows forth different aspects of its
beauty depending on the angle of view, light upon the stone, etc. (Proverbs
17:8) So, when looking at our position in Christ, what are some of the different
angles that we can look from? Where does the light shine in each case that
drives away and dispels the darkness? Too many times, our focus can be on one of
these many different angles, and we lose sight of the overall beauty of God's
free salvation and redemption to His people. When looking at our position in Christ (as His people) by His free grace and mercy, we start with the subject of forgiveness. (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 2:13) This facet of the diamond is most often looked at as our failures and shortcomings daily oppress us. The understanding that Christ has forgiven us ALL (not some) of our iniquities and trespasses brings consolation to the soul that His love ever abides upon His people. One of the things about the subject of forgiveness that is easily overlooked is the fact that forgiveness does not absolve the consequence. Many times, people seek forgiveness from others and expect that their punishment will go away. For example, should someone commit murder and seek the forgiveness of the family whose loved one's life they took, that does not absolve their consequence in the eyes of the law. Unless the law agrees to the release of the consequence, the forgiveness is between the two parties and no further. Therefore, when looking at our crimes and transgressions, forgiveness alone cannot bring us the peace that we have been delivered from the consequence of the crime. For the consequence to be lifted, someone with authority must lift it. Therefore, the next facet of the stone is the subject of being pardoned. (Isaiah 40:1-2) To be pardoned does not mean that one is guiltless, but rather, it brings to light that one with authority and power lifted the consequence of the crime. So, the King of kings and Lord of lords lifted the consequence that we were due (separation from Him for all eternity) in the advancement of pardoning. So, looking at the forgiveness and pardoning together, we see the love of our Lord manifest that He forgave us and lifted our heavy load. If a governor grants a pardon to a prisoner, the prisoner is absolved from that consequence forever. The only way that punishment can be re-instated is if the prisoner commits another crime in the eyes of the law. But, thanks be unto God that our pardoning is similar in vein to the forgiveness. All our iniquities are pardoned, just as they are all forgiven. So, now with the advancement of love by way of forgiveness and pardoning, we have no more weight of crime, so what else would we need? We understand from God's word that He does not overlook sin. He repays vengeance every time. Therefore, something else is necessary, for His pardoning love cannot admit of sinners (pardoned sinners yes, but sinners nonetheless) into heaven's pure world with Him. His justice never stands in the corner for the advancement of His mercy. For us to see heaven, it would have to be as though we had never sinned at all. This denotes the idea of innocence. An innocent person is one that is unspotted and unblemished. We think of children sometimes as innocent, and in a sense, they are. They are not innocent in their nature (sinful by nature upon conception - Psalm 51:5), but they are innocent as far as not being exposed to different elements of the spotted and blemished world. So, how do we appear innocent before God? Job queried the same thing, even though he knew it was true. (Job 9:2) For us to be innocent before God, our burden that was lifted in being pardoned has to be borne and paid for. That was accomplished solely by the merits of His Son, when He blotted out all our transgressions by His blood. (Colossians 2:13-14) He purged our sins forever, and therefore, there is nothing that can prevent us from His presence. (Hebrews 1:3) For one to say that Christ died for all our sins and we not see heaven's pure world, there must be one sin, at least, unpurged to keep us out. Many say that it is the fact that one does not accept Him, but for that to be the case, that one sin of unbelief (as that is basically what it is) would not have been paid for Christ on the cross. The simple fact that "It is finished" means that not one sin was left undone to keep His family from being with Him. So, if we are innocent on top of being forgiven and pardoned, what else could there be? The crown of our jewel of God's salvation of His people is found in the subject of justification. Justification goes beyond any of the other facets of this jewel, for it cements, legally, the hold that God has upon us. (Romans 5:6-9) While there are timely facets of the subject of justification, we seek here to only talk of the eternal ramifications of justification that is accomplished solely by His grace and blood. To be justified means that one is not pardoned (as that would imply guilt), and it goes further than innocence as innocent people can either be convicted or not remain innocent. Justification means that in the eyes of the court, one is completely and totally rendered not guilty (in our case - declared righteous) by the bar. In God's court, the blood of Christ renders us not guilty, and since God's court makes no mistakes, the verdict is true and authoritative. Since God does not admit of one flaw, our righteousness in His eyes is the imputed righteousness of His Son, and the verdict is based upon that and that only. He sees us with His Son's perfect image and likeness. (Psalm 17:15) Therefore, there is no guilt, therefore no crime, therefore no guilt, therefore no plausible accusation that the court would uphold. So, would you rather be forgiven or pardoned? I would probably rather be pardoned as that relieves the burden of the payment, but the forgiveness relieves the burden of scorn from the other party. Would you rather be forgiven, pardoned, or innocent? I would choose innocence as God does not convict improperly. But, would you rather be forgiven, pardoned, innocent, or justified? The reason that justification stands as the crown of this jewel is that one can be innocent today and not innocent tomorrow. Even though Christ washed away all our sins by His precious blood, the legal stamp that shows it forever secure is the justification of God's acceptance of that offering. Being justified goes beyond being innocent in the sense that the court has declared that righteousness forevermore. Adam was innocent, but he did not remain so. We are justified, and that is henceforth and forever. This court will never be overturned, and this beautiful stone of glory will never be dimmed by any creature anywhere. (Romans 8:38-39) Therefore, when someone asks what we are in Christ, may we thankfully say, "Forgiven, pardoned, pure, and justified," for God would accept (in His holiness) nothing less, and surely no one, save Him, could have accomplished it.  In Hope, Bro Philip |