God’s Grace in Romans | Forgiven Past, Present, and Future Sins|
We saw from our last discussion the secret of Abraham, that he believed in a God who justifies the ungodly.
Then the apostle continues;
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Romans 4:6
Many a time when we hear the testimonies of the old testament saints we are inclined to think that they enjoyed some kind of a better relationship with God than what we have today in Christ.
However, this is not so, as blessed as David was, he wished to live in the reality of who we are in Christ today despite all his riches.
He foresaw the privileges of the man in Christ and began to describe “the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.”
He lived under the law of works and sought justification by the obedience of the law which cursed him several times. The law demanded perfect obedience and reserved curses for those who missed the mark.
The first man to die under the law went out on the Sabbath day to gather sticks, probably to make a fire and eat with his family, as good as this is, this man was cursed by the law and stoned to death (Numbers 15:32-36)
So David, sitting under the law looked with the eyes of faith and began to describe this man to who God estimates righteous without works…
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
In observing the description above, carefully note the tenses used.
Past sins — Past Tense = “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.”
Present and Future Sins — Future Tense = “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord —will— not impute sin”
David describes the blessing of the man in Christ, that this man is forgiven past, present, and future sins. That the Lord will never charge him of any sin. All his sins have been imputed to Jesus on the cross. David preached the gospel.
This is the mother of all blessings. The preaching of the forgiveness of sins is the gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation.
Then we hear;
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness .Romans 4:9
This blessing is for the entire world and not just for the Jews. The circumcision (Jews) and the uncircumcision (Gentiles) all receive this blessedness of none imputation of sins once they put faith in Christ Jesus.
This is the same way Abraham received the blessing. He received it 13 years before he was circumcised.
How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. Romans 4:10
His circumcision was not to earn the blessing but a sign that the blessing or covenant was given to him.
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. Romans 4:11,12
Our works are a seal of our faith in Jesus and not a criterion. They are the manifestation of the Christ in us. When we truly receive Christ, he lives in us and the fruits of his workings are seen in the way we conduct ourselves in holiness.
Because we have the favour of God upon our lives, we walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham, we forsake all kinds of ill conducts not to gain righteousness but because we are made righteous, eternally forgiven and highly favoured.
Confession
Father, I thank you for rendering me a partaker of your blessings in Christ. My sins past, present, and future are forgiven. I am the blessed of the Lord.
I reject the spirit of guilt and condemnation. I reject the tongues rising against me in judgment, and I declare, no weapon formed against me shall prosper, for my righteousness comes only from the Lord.
Prophetic Insight
In an encounter with the Lord, I heard “Dear Child, Do not be afraid, I have commanded supplies to sustain you until you are established in my promise. Day by day you will see my goodness.
Fret not dear child, in the midst of it all the heavens will always give unto you the due blessing until I bring you to the place of your inheritance.”
And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan. Exodus 16:35
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church.