WHAT IS MEANT BY “THE END OF THE LAW-CURSE?” AND, WHAT IS MEANT BY “FORGIVEN FOREVER?”
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Answers to Bible Questions
Scriptures are from the KJV of the Bible
The following short articles are taken from a booklet titled “The Truth about the Truth,” published by GRACE GOSPEL PUBLISHERS and written by Pastor Robert Hanna. PART TWO OF A SERIES.
(Q) WHAT IS MEANT BY “THE END OF THE LAW-CURSE?”
Scripture Reading: Romans 10:4
(A) Those professing Christians who today live under the law, have failed to understand and/or accept the significance of Calvary. Such was the condition in the church at Galatia when the apostle Paul was moved to upbraid them for their faithless behavior. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all the things which are written in the book of the law to do them … Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse FOR US: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:10, 13).
The attempt to “follow Christ” by striving to emulate His earthly walk, is a totally futile effort. He did not minister to us at that time, but to Israel. And He said to them (the Jews) at that time, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law .. .I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” He was born under the law, He lived under total obedience to the law, He ministered the law. This is not the Christ that we know in this present dispensation of grace. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.”
When ministering to Israel, He admonished them; “One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt. 5: 18). But through the apostle Paul, the risen, heavenly seated Christ declared to the Church which is His Body, that He has “forgiven you all trespasses, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross” (Col. 2: 13, 14).
Like the foolish Galatians, untold numbers of Christians still labor under the law, thinking to please God. But He has told us, “By GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8, 9). “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1).
(Q) WHAT IS MEANT BY “FORGIVEN FOREVER?”
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-7
(A) Paul, our apostle, has exhorted us to “Pray without ceasing” . (I Thess. 5: 17). And he has diligently set the example for us. “Without ceasing I make mention of you always in myprayers” (Rom. 1:9). “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith … ” (I Thess. 1:2,3). ” … Without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers … ” (II Tim. 1 :3). But never do we find Paul praying for forgiveness of sin; never do we find him instructing us to pray for forgiveness of sin. And yet he continually enjoins us to live spiritually, to be continually thankful for all things – even for our suffering
.To most praying saints, the focal point of their petition is to beg God to forgive them for their sins. It would shock and dismay many such devoted and faithful ones, were they to be advised that this is not honoring to God. Why should we not plead with God to be forgiven of our sins? The apostle answers this question frequently throughout his epistles. A notable example is this exhortation: “Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as GOD FOR CHRIST’S SAKE HATH FORGIVEN YOU” (Eph. 4:32). Past tense! God HATH forgiven you!
When one is saved by God’s grace, one’s position is one of completeness. “For in Him [Christ] dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. AND YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM, Who is the Head of all principality and power” (Col. 2:9, 10). Complete in Christ, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree … (I Peter 2:24). He suffered, He bled, He died. And as He died, the last words He uttered were “IT IS FINISHED” (John 19:30).
We do not pray to God for forgiveness, because we are already forgiven! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who HATH blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies … HATH chosen us in Him … HATH made us accepted in the Beloved One. In Whom we HAVE redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
To be continued
Have a good day!
Maranatha (Lord Come)
John
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