Wikipedia defines religion "as a cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, world views, texts, sanctified places, prophesies, ethics, or organizations, that relate humanity to the supernatural, transcendental, or spiritual." Contrast that with today's text.
The Word in our text for, "forgiveness," means, "complete forgiveness, deliverance, pardon." This separates the religions of man from Jesus. Why do we need, "complete forgiveness"? The Bible says quite plainly that, "Your iniquities have separated you from your God." In order for humanity to, as our Lord Jesus says, "come to the Father," i.e, come into participation in the Godhead, we need those, "iniquities," dealt with. No religion makes provision for this. They are nothing but cold philosophies. In Jesus' Shed Blood, however, there is, "pardon, complete forgiveness," so that you and I can, "....have fellowship in company with the Father and in company with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).
They called it "slaughter house religion" when my Dad was in seminary. They just ignored it by the time I came along. Whatever the current propagation of something called Christianity, nothing has changed in the economy of the Living Triune God: "Without the shedding of blood there is (just) no forgiveness." But in, "the shedding of [Jesus'] Blood there is...pardon, complete forgiveness." You and I can dwell, live, never depart from the Presence of the Blessed Trinity, because of, "....the shedding of blood." And as Hebrews 7:27 tells us, "This Jesus did once for all when He offered up Himself."
Continue to walk in "your world" today as a pardoned, completely forgiven Child of God. And never, ever forget why you and I can do this: "....the shedding of Blood...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for the, "complete forgiveness," in Your Blood. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
