#24 God Forgives Sins, not Excuses

[45]”Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [46]He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, [47]and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’” [Luke 24:45-47]

Three things stand out for me as I read this scripture:

1. “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached” God forgives sins, not excuses. In fact, it is our excuses which get in the way of God’s forgiveness. They keep us from making a commitment to Christ, as we refuse to take responsibility for our own life. We can’t blame others, our situation, our finances, health, or any excuse: we are all sinners of our own free will. In order to receive God’s unconditional love, we must surrender unconditionally. That means without excuses, “without one plea” as the gospel hymn reminds us:

“Just as I am - without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come!” [1]

2. “in His name” There is no other way of salvation but through the redemptive power of Jesus death and resurrection for those who receive Him.

[11]“Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.' [12]Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." [Acts 4:11-12]

3. “to all nations” No one is excluded, but all are bid to come to Jesus. Jesus fulfills the covenant that God made with Abraham that all nations will be blessed and Jesus’ Holy Spirit empowers the church to carry this message as the new Israel to all nations and peoples.

As redeemed Christians here on earth, we need reminders about sin and forgiveness. So we are reminded of our eternal forgiveness when we celebrate the Lord’s supper, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” [Matthew 26:28] Also we are charged in the Lord’s prayer to carry that forgiveness forward, to say to God “to forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” [Luke 11:4] This means that we must always be conscious of what Jesus has done for us in humble and grateful service to others.

[1] Charlotte Elliot, 1835