Grace and Forgiveness

Forgiveness is an important element in knowing and following Jesus.

Forgiveness is a fundamental in removing the main obstacle to us experiencing the reality of Jesus in our lives. Sin separates us from God and forgiveness reconciles us to God.



Grace is the characteristic of God from which forgiveness flows to us.



In John 19:30 Jesus says, “It is finished.” This is not a cry of defeat. It is a cry of victory. So, what is finished?



In Ephesians 1:7 Paul writes, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace.”



According to this verse two things are done by or finished by Jesus.



Redemption Through His Blood



Redemption is repurchasing what has been sold to someone else. We belonged to our Creator, but because of sin we came to be owned and under the authority of Satan. Jesus bought us back by shedding His blood on the cross.



Redemption is paying off a debt. We owed God a debt because of our sin and Jesus paid it off through His blood.



Redemption is being delivered or rescued from some form of captivity. We were in slavery to Satan. He was holding us captive because of our sin. Jesus’ blood freed us from the slavery we were under because of our sin.



Redemption is atoning for a mistake or failure. In our case it was atoning for our sin. Jesus never committed any sin. He gave up His perfection for our sin. Jesus’ blood atoned. Jesus’ shed blood satisfied God’s righteous standard and we received the righteousness of Jesus.



Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is receiving redemption; being removed for the authority of Satan to the authority Jesus, having our debt paid by Jesus, being rescued from captivity, our sin being replaced by Jesus’ righteousness.



Forgiveness Of Our Trespasses According To The Riches Of His Grace



We are forgiven.

Our Trespasses (stepping outside the boundaries God has set for our good) are forgiven.

Jesus does all of this by His grace.



Forgiveness through the grace of Jesus allows us to go from a life marked by failure and sin to a life marked by grace-empowered forgiveness.



So, is Jesus forgiveness for real?



Psalm 103:12

As far as the east is from the west so far does He remove our transgressions from us.



Our sins are totally removed from us as far as the east is from the west.



1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.



Our sins are forgiven and we are cleansed from all the unrighteousness which stained our lives.



Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Our sins are forgiven and we are given as a free gift (grace) eternal life.



Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is being forgiven, having our sin removed from us, being cleansed from the unrighteousness of sin, and receiving eternal life all through the grace of Jesus.



God’s forgiveness is real.

God’s forgiveness is by grace.



In God’s Grace Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                       Joe