sinners no more!

Yesterday, I argued that the phrase, “the forgiveness of sins” in our Bible translations gives us a totally wrong impression. Liberation of sins – that is what the word in the original (aphesis) means. Forgiveness reminds us of guilt (debt). But guilt (debt) is something very different from sin. Do I steal a bicycle, that is a ‘sin’. The result of such a sin is guilt (debt). I’m guilty (in debt) to whom I have done this, even if only considering the value of the bicycle to the owner. Guilt (debt) can be forgiven. In that case, the debt is canceled. By forgiveness of a debt, the past is not anymore being reckoned. But “liberation of sins” is much more! When I am freed from sin… then I am no longer a sinner! And that is the message of the Evangel!

yet God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we ARE STILL SINNERS, Christ died for our sakes. Romans 5:8 Now thanks be to God that you WERE slaves of Sin, yet you obey from the heart the type of teaching to which you were given over. Romans 6:17 and 20 Yet, NOW, BEING FREED from Sin, yet enslaved to God, you have your fruit for holiness… Rom.6:18 and 22

Later I want to show how totally different, familiar Bible verses will sound when forgiveness is seen to be liberation… ——————————— translation: Peter Feddema

Delen: