“Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
Romans 4:7-8, KJV
A thorough study of the Bible reveals to us the plan of God for salvation from start to finish. Every text, every chapter, points to God’s saving grace available in His Son Jesus.
I often say that the New Testament is concealed in the Old Testament, while the Old is revealed in the New. This goes to explain why Jesus and many of the disciples in their letters referred to events and prophecies recorded in the Old Testament. One of such cases is in Acts 13.
At the synagogue in Antioch, Paul was given an opportunity to speak and he did an excellent job. Starting with the children of Israel as slaves in Egypt, he gave a summary of Bible events leading up to the birth of Jesus from the lineage of King David.
“Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:” (Acts 13:23, KJV)
The Israelites yearned for a deliverer from earthly rulers. God promised a Messiah and gave them His own Son. Although He was guilty of no offence, Jesus was crucified on a cross because the people did not know or believe in Him. But the good news is, He rose from the dead (Acts 13:30,35,37). We find an allusion to this in Psalms 2-3.
Paul then explained the significance of Jesus’ death, burial & resurrection now:
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness 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, KJV)
All that the Apostle previously spoke of was to this end – the justification from sins for all who believe. This is the grace of God.
Hence, when we read Romans 4:7-8 (our anchor text), we do not consider those verses as a licence to sin. Instead, we rejoice because of the finished works of Christ that brought us freedom from the law. On our own, we could never keep up with the demands of the law; we would have been condemned forever. But thanks be to God, we have victory forever in Christ Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Herein lies the essence of grace: not to disregard sin but to emphasize our justification in Christ by faith. David prophesied about our day (Psalm 32:1-2).
“…just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”
Romans 4:6-8 NKJV
He was speaking about us!
Therefore, our confidence lies not in our works but in the grace of God. Our liberty is for service and consecration, not to sin (Titus 2:11-13). Glory to God!
SAY THIS:
God’s grace is for all men. I have received it, hence I’ve been freely forgiven. Now, I have victory over sin. I walk in the newness of life, forever. Glory to God.
Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 10:35-52, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalms 98, 1 Samuel 9-10.