January 20, 2023
A Savior and Deliverer
“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John 1:29-31 (NASB)
I often wonder what my life might look like now based upon a decision I made in the past. I wonder sometimes what I might have done with my life if I chose to not join the United States Army at an early age. Would I be the same person I am today? I’m really not sure. I do know many of us still think about past life choices. We might ask ourselves whether we have changed for good or bad. Just think about it, one bad decision can change our life. It can also be the catalyst for betterment. When it comes to decisions, we find that they really do matter.
We can make a sinful decision at times, while solid Godly decisions make it better. In options in life there are some that matter, and some don’t. One decision can concern our place in eternity. This comes through salvation in Jesus Christ. We can choose Jesus who can forgive all those bad decisions we made before and after we saved. Obviously, we have made decisions that already affect our lives from the past forward. With the bad and good decisions, we have consequences here on earth and eternity without Christ in our life. I’ll tell you this, I would much rather suffer for temporal consequences here than for eternity. Eternity is a place without God. John the Baptist knew this truth. Sin in eternity is a place without the presence of God.
John the Baptist heralds his entrance with the statement, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” There is one word that stands out for you and me. When John the Baptist used the word “sin,” in singular (verse 29) he was referring to the forgiveness of all sins, not just some. The singular defines it as “general sin.” John MacArthur says, “The use of the singular ‘sin’ in conjunction with ‘of the world’ indicates that Jesus’ sacrifice for sin potentially reaches all human beings without distinction.”[1] This means that you and I no matter what class, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or social standing, can receive the forgiveness of Christ from sin.
In this world many choose to think that they can and maybe never will be forgiven for their past sins. This is not true for those who have trusted Christ as their Savior. They have the forgiveness of Christ in their lives. They become a new creation in Christ, “he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Cor. 5:17). Many around us know our past. They might even take time to remind us of our sins. Forgiveness may not come in our lifetime from them, but there is One who can forgive and forget their sins. Psalm 103:12 tells us, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” In Micah 7:19 we hear this same resounding voice again, “He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins. Into the depths of the sea.”
Today, take a minute and forgive someone else the way Jesus did for you. It is possible, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[1] John MacArthur: The MacArthur Study Bible, 1997, pg. 1576.