THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS [Pt 4] - Awe Hilary

 THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS [Pt 4]

- Awe Hilary

I read a book some years back as a very young man, and in that book, the author narrated how a woman was sent to "hell" by God because she borrowed her neighbors matchbox and did not return it. Just imagine if someone could be condemned by an offence as simple as that, then it means that no one will see the gate of heaven, not to talk of being welcomed by the Lord.

After reading that book, a horrific fear came upon me, which made me suspicious of every action I took, not being sure if I was still saved, because I would have done something I did not know was wrong, or left something undone which I was supposed to do. Instead of getting liberated in Christ, I got suspicious of God and my own actions. A state where you never know if you will make it or not. There are many believers in Christ, who experience such today, as deep within them they are really not sure, for there is a fear that resides in them unspoken.

Moreover, it took me some time to discover that the author was wrong in whatever he saw as a revelation, but in thesame vain, that authors testimony gives a vivid description of the Mosaic Law. 

The Mosaic Law was a spiritual guide for the Jews, which tutored them on how to relate with God, and with each other. It was also a guide that taught the Jews on how to present themselves as the people of God, which made them different on the face of the earth, as they were being shapened after the likeness of God.

Galatians 3:24

[24]Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Moreover, the Jews could not keep up with the standard of the Mosaic Law, because the nature of sin was still inherent in them through the first Adam, hence they were seen to violate the Law of God. Interestingly, what many people do not know about the Law, just like the example of the author as narrated above, is that when you violate a certain provision of it, you have violated all, hence you are guilty. It does not matter how religious you are, or your level of self acclaimed righteousness, the Law will always find you guilty.

Galatians 2:16

[16]knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

As such, no one could be justified by the Law, because the nature of sin in the flesh made it very difficult to keep it, hence the Jews continued to repeat sacrifices to atone for their sins before God. This is because, sin was empowered through the Mosaic Law, as it judged them for their violations. Sin became a master through the Law, because while the Law judged the Jews for their violation through the flesh, sin was multiplied and the people became more sinful. This is not to say that the Law was unholy, but the Jews were trying to keep a spiritual Law through the carnality of their flesh.

Romans 7:14

[14]For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

The Covenant and the Law was God's way of gathering a people, that through them, His salvific work will come on the whole earth, and that through Him all souls who believe will be saved.

THINGS TO NOTE:

1. No one is justified by the Law, because with the Law, you will always be guilty before God. 

2. The Law was created to point people to their sins, untill the Son of promise was manifested.

3. The Law was not made for the righteous, and it brings fear and uncertainty to the practitioners.

In the next episode, you will understand what it means to be saved by God. Don't miss it.

.....TO BE CONTINUED.

Min. Awe Hilary 

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