It is a wonderful thing to know that you are forgiven of all of your sins, isn’t it? After all, Jesus suffered and died to make it happen. The best part is, he did it because he loves you!
You Are Forgiven, Wonderful, Now Go And Sin No More
STM Bible Lesson
Lesson focus: Luke 7:48-50. Bible lesson background: [Luke 7:36-50] The Bible Knowledge Commentary – It was the custom of the day when one had a dinner party to provide for the guests’ feet to be cleaned before the meal. Because most roads were unpaved and the normal foot attire was sandals, it was common for people’s feet to be dusty or muddy.
- Simon’s failures vs the sinful womans faithful acts
- 1. Simon did not provide water to wash Jesus’s feet. ♦||♦ She washed Jesus’s feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. See Luke 7:44.
- 2. He did not welcome Jesus with a kiss. ♦||♦ She repeatedly kissed His feet. See Luke 7:45.
- 3. Simon did not anoint Jesus’s head with olive oil. ♦||♦ She anointed His feet with ointment. See Luke 7:46.
- Luke 7:48-50 [read Luke 7:36-50 (48-50)]
- Then Jesus reassured her, “You are forgiven; your sinfulness has been removed.” 49 The other guests began to mumble, “Who does he think he is to claim to forgive and remove sin?” 50 Smiling, Jesus said to the woman, “Your trust in me has healed you; go with a mind restored to peace.” (Remedy)
- KJV: And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
- Off-topic note: Notice the similarity to Isaiah 53:5 where the words healed (Remedy) and saved (KJV) are the same. Salvation is our spiritual healing [see By His Stripes We Are Healed Spiritually Not Physically].
You Are Forgiven
God made a new covenant (agreement) with you. Under the new agreement, gifts and blood sacrifices are not required [read Hebrews 9:6-28 (9)]. In fact, the Law (of Moses/the first agreement), is now old (obsolete)1.
Jesus, the new High Priest, became the final blood sacrifice2. Your sins are forgiveable as a result of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection [Romans 6:1-14 (4-5) and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4].
Repentance and water baptism
- So, when we repent and get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, Acts 2:38-39 promises us that our sins are forgiven.
- Acts 2:38-39 [read Acts 2:14-39 (38-39)]
- And Peter replied, Every one of you must repent3 [i.e., change your hearts and lives; symbolic of death] and be baptized [buried in water; symbolic of a burial] in the name of Jesus Christ. So that your sins will be forgiven [by God] and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit4 [to live in and help you]. 39 For the promise [of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit] is being given to you [Jews] and to your descendants and [also] to all those who are far away [i.e., Gentiles. See Ephesians 2:17]. [This promise is] to as many as [respond to] the Lord, our God’s call [[through the Gospel, See 2 Thessalonians 2:14].” (AUV)
- KJV: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
In like manner, Jesus said, in Luke 24:47
- Luke 24:45-47 [read Luke 24:44-49 (45-47)]
- Then He opened their minds to [help them] understand the Scriptures, 46 and said, “And so it is written, that the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance [necessary] for forgiveness of sins would be preached in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (AMP)
- KJV: Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Wonderful, Now Go And Sin No More
- Yes, God does forgive you when you admit to the Lord Jesus (your High Priest) you are guilty of sin. But you must understand, His forgiveness is applied when you repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. It is at that time that you are forgiven.
- John 5:13-14 John 5:13-14
- But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” (NKJV)
- KJV: And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
- It seems apparent that this man had sinned and as a result, he suffered for 38 years (John 5:5). I say this because Jesus told him to stop sinning and warned him that if he did not stop something worse would happen.
Stop sinning
- As a final point, you are forgiven if you have obeyed the Word. But please do not overlook the facts—repentance and water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ are essential for God’s forgiveness. When you meet God’s conditions for forgiveness He—God—who is faithful and just will forgive your sins.
- 2 Peter 3:9 [read 2 Peter 3:1-9 (9)]
- The Lord is not being slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change their ways and stop sinning. (ERV)
- KJV: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
God’s child does not continue to sin
- 1 John 5:18 [read 1 John 5:18-21 (18)]
- We know that anyone who is God’s child does not continue to sin. The Son of God keeps him safe, and the Evil One cannot hurt him. (ICB)
- KJV: We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
So, even if the phrase “you are forgiven” is not found in the KJV, it is still wonderful to hear it, as is the phrase “I forgive you”! I pray that you have enjoyed and will make the most of this Bible snack. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺
Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:
♥ Question for ‘You Are Forgiven, Wonderful, Go And Sin No More’: Do you believe God has forgiven you?
See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.
I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing [email protected]. Have a fantabulous day!