Colossians 1:14 “… even the forgiveness of sins.”

Colossians 1:14 ” even the forgiveness of sins.”To answer the questions from last week I need to start with some history. Since man’s existence he has had a need to worship God. Though that “god” has taken many forms. Statues of animals, worshipping of the stars, or imagined  deities formed by man’s own hand. Made from stone, timber or gold, representative of fertility, power, or good harvest. Coupled with rituals that were very pagan in nature, including animal and human sacrafice. As recent as the Mayan and Inca cultures,  human sacrifice was still practiced. All for the purpose of appeasing the “god’s.”

In this general societal enviroment the Jewish culture was established with directives from God. From diet, to proper relationships, to worship and more. Human sacrifice was strictly forbidden, but the “law of substitution” which involved animal sacrafice was established. It was given by God for man to reestablish his relation to God after violating a command. It involved taking a male lamb of one year to the priest, placing one’s hands on the lamb, which was symbolic of transferring the sin unto the lamb. Acknowledgement of sin(s) was made followed by the priest sacrificing  the lamb. This was the means of having one’s sins atoned for, meaning ” to cover over,” different from forgiveness. This was a very strong visual that sin equaled death, and that the guiltless paid for the guilty. Though Atonement through animal sacrifice was only a “covering over” of man’s sin, it was the provision God gave whereby man (woman) could restore their relationship back to a Holy God. I know you animal lovers find this cruel, however without the law of substitution man would have to bare the consequences of his own sin, something that God could not bare.

Both in the New and Old Testament Jesus is known by several names, all speaking to his purpose or function.  However, there is not a name that best describes the purpose for which he came into the world than this one ” Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.” This was Christ’s purpose, to be the final lamb, the ultimate atonement and sacrifice for man’s wayward ways, and the means of forgiveness. So we have “redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of sins.” The guiltless for the guilty, so that in having forgiveness we may have a relationship with God and the hope of eternal life. Who qualifies? No one. Then who can receive this? Only the broken. The repentant. When the man or the woman in the mirror stops looking so sharp, so smart and reality hits of my insufficiency to handle life, then and only then do I make a good candidate for God’s plan of salvation.

Again I pause at this point. This teaching is strong. It is the central core of all the Bible, Old and New Testament. As stated in prior devotionals, salvation is by accepting God’s invitation, not by mans works. No one is forced. God extends his hands, and we decide whether to take them or not. God respects one’s free will to chose, something he gifted to all man.

Some questions still remain that we will answer next week. What  is my indebtedness, and how is “salvation” gained.

Father God,

In understanding more clearly the Gospel, I can see the difference between religion where we try to appease you by our efforts, and in relationship where you removed the offense of my sin so that I could come to you. Thank you dearly for this, though I have yet much to
understand. Amen

As a side note, I am grateful for the positive comments that I have read, and if any of the studies raises questions that I did not answer please email me separately at arthur@vida4u.com.

Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur