Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness (remission) of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses (Acts 13:38-39).
We learnt in our previous study that what we have in Christ isn’t forgiveness, but remission of sins. Some Bible translators weren’t sure when to use the word “forgive” and when to use the word “remit.” So in different translations, they render the Greek word “aphesis” as “forgiveness” and also as “remission.” For example, the King James Version translated it as forgiveness instead of remission as seen in our opening verse.
Remission is the complete removal of sin. In the Greek Septuagint, there’s a word used in Leviticus 25:10 that’s akin to remission; it’s the word “liberty,” which means “release.” Part of that verse says, “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land….” The word “liberty” is the same word “aphesis,” which means remission. We’re to proclaim remission; man’s total release from sin, its effects and consequences!
Just as all debts were cancelled during Jubilee in the Old Testament, remission in the New Testament is the wiping out or blotting out of a debt (sin), as though it had never been; as though it never happened. In forgiveness, the record shows that you’re the offender but have been pardoned for the offense, whereas in remission, there’s no record of offence.
In remission, the offence is separated or divorced from you; it doesn’t exist; hence, you’re justified. Yes, in remission, you have justification! The Bible says in Acts 13:39 that by Jesus Christ, all that believe are justified from all things, from which they couldn’t be justified by the law of Moses.
To be justified means that you’re acquitted; you’ve been declared “not guilty,” in spite of your sins, because they’ve been remitted; they don’t exist. How is this possible? It’s the righteousness of God: “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).
PRAYER
I pray for sinners around the world today, that as they hear the Gospel, their hearts are open to receive the remission already accomplished for them through the death of Christ, to live unto righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 5:19-21 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Romans 3:23-26 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Romans 4 & Psalms 45-48
2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Ephesians 4:11-16 & Isaiah 49
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Please don’t stop at reading, join us today let’s take God’s divine presence into every man’s world.
