Cross Road Message The greatest burden that faces mankind is sin The Holy Spirit of Christ proclaims a wonderful truth through the writings of the beloved John. Upon our confession of sin to Him, Christians receive forgiveness. Their standing before God is not guilty because of the ultimate price paid by Jesus upon the Cross of Calvary. To forgive us our sins means to forgive the guilt of sin. The word “forgiveness” (aphiemi) gives the idea of the cancellation of all debts or the dismissal of charges. In reality it is our sins that put Christ on the Cross, yet because of the shed blood of Christ, all charges against us are dropped. Jeff Allen shared the testimony of his life without Christ. He was bitter and lived only for himself. Sin took him farther than he ever wanted to go and he found himself standing over the crib of his son, beating his little boy while he lay in the crib. After a while he grew sick of the lifestyle he had yoked himself to, lay his burdens at the Cross of Calvary and discovered the love of Christ. He accepted Jesus Christ into his heart and life and immediately found forgiveness and enjoyed that supernatural release from the guilt of sin. Jeff Allen was given the same illumination of God’s love as the Psalmist who wrote, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12). 1 John 1:9 goes farther into a truth that relieves the burdens of sin lived before salvation in Christ and sins foolishly fallen in to after a sinner becomes a child of God. As a whole of Scripture we are taught that the basis of our fellowship with the Lord is not our sinlessness. Rather, His forgiveness is given to us based on what Christ has and does for us. In writing about walking in the light of Christ, the beloved John wrote, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”(1 John 2:1) Jeff Allen not only experienced the forgiveness of the guilt of sin, but also experienced the supernatural work of being purified from unrighteousness. He like many born again Christians experienced purification (katharizo). This gives a picture of an act of cleansing from the pollution of sin so that a new life in Christ can begin. Born again Christians express a life that reveals a truth proclaimed by Jesus Christ, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Ken Davis in his travels in the ministry came across a bar-tender who knew Jeff Allen before Christ came into his life. This bartender told Ken, “Jeff Allen is the angriest, most bitter man that I have ever met.” Ken Davis was able to give this testimony about Jeff Allen, “Not anymore.” Christians are free from life’s greatest burden, sin, because Christ paid the ultimate price. He gave His life so sinners may receive forgiveness and be set free from the bondage of sin. People inherited sin from Adam. They are in slavery to sin and unable in their own strength to set themselves free. They may be able to break away from one sin, only to be caught by another. Christians are able to find relief from a life in bondage to sin because Jesus paid the highest price possible for the redemption of mankind. It is like the true story told of Abraham Lincoln by Pastor Adrian Rogers. There was a very sad time in American history when slaves were purchased and sold on the auction block. All people were created for God’s glory yet some were born into slave families and kept in slavery all their lives to be sold, purchased and sold again. Yes it is true some were able to gain their freedom. Abraham Lincoln was at a slave auction where he saw a beautiful black slave woman standing on an auction block to be sold. Men were biding like crazy to purchase this beautiful black woman and it was clear that their intentions were to make her a plaything to feed their lust. Mr. Lincoln was bound and determined to become her redeemer and friend. He made it quite clear he was going to pay the highest price regardless. He won the bid. After purchasing her, Mr. Lincoln told the slave woman that she was free to go. However, of her own free will she chose to stay and serve Mr. Lincoln. Just as those slave traders lusted after that beautiful woman, the pleasure of the flesh, the lures of the world, and the lies of the devil feed the sinful nature. Mankind’s soul is in bondage to sin. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34) Only by coming under the blood of Christ, the highest price possible that could be paid does the repentant sinner find true liberty. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”(John 10:10). Christians are free to choose whom they will serve; people who have not been set free by Christ are blind and cannot see. Sin holds them captive.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 03:04:36 +0000