To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me (Acts 26:18 KJV)

Jesus gave Paul the mandate above for his ministry, to open the eyes of the Gentiles, and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God. He then adds the purpose of all of these: that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance.

What comes to your mind when you think of God forgiving you? It is easy to focus on the God-side, that is, God no longer angry with us or He has wiped out our sins, etc. Interestingly, the focus of forgiveness in the verse above is not on the God-side but on our side. God grants forgiveness, but above all else, forgiveness is something that happens TO US.

The word forgiveness means a formal release from the obligation, guilt, punishment, or debt of sin. What is the debt of sin? It is death. When we are forgiven, we are released from death, which is a spiritual power that brings about the physical, spiritual, and eternal suffering due for sinners. Think of how the world changed after sin came into the world. That change is powered by death, and Satan is the master of death.  Forgiveness is an experience from God. It is an experience of freedom from death.  It is only possible because Christ died a gruesome death on the cross to pay the price for our sins—which is death.

MEDITATE

What grants the release of forgiveness of sins? What are the manifestations of death? ( Think of everything that entered the world after Adam and Eve sinned?).

APPLY THE WORD

Forgiveness is a precious gift. It immediately breaks the bands of death and releases us from the age-old slavery. We were forgiven of all sins when we received Christ. We continue to receive forgiveness for sins we commit as we live in the flesh. Do not keep sin in your life because it brings death. Receive and enjoy the forgiveness in Christ.

PRAY

Thank the Father for the beautiful blessing of the forgiveness of our sins in Christ. 

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