Several articles in this month’s issue reflect the worldwide instability that continues to afflict this generation as a new year begins. The exhortation notes the shock of Canada teetering on the brink of massive political restructuring. The “Signs of the Times” draws attention to the most difficult aspect of Mideast negotiations which is now on the table — control of Jerusalem. In addition, “World Famine — A Real Possibility” affords an inside look to the precarious condition of world food supplies.
On a daily basis, in the most casual of conversations, we are reminded of the unstable family structure that seems to be everywhere we turn. And, although the economic condition has improved for many, early retirements, corporate restructuring and rapidly changing technologies create a continuing cloud of uncertainty. As the 6th millennium draws to a close, instability is a pervasive plague.
But not so for followers of Christ.
The future is certain
“By two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie” we “have an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Heb. 6:18,19). We know what lies ahead for the world. Whatever happens in 1996, “the Lord is not slack concerning his promise.” Christ will come soon, the kingdom will be established. Personally, we have a lively hope “which entereth into that within the veil,” into the blessed condition of immortality, “if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Heb. 3:14).
A stable family now
We can face the political future with confidence and not with fear. Not only so, we have assurance of present stability if we order our lives after the way of God, for we have the support system of being in His family.
“Now are we the sons of God” writes John to the faithful in Christ (I John 3:2). This same assurance runs throughout Hebrews, reaching its climax in chapter 12. Here is the ultimate family relationship in which we can approach our merciful Creator as “Abba [Daddy], Father” and in which the mighty Lord Jesus views us as his brethren.
In this family, we will have present difficulties which can be financial, emotional, physical or of any other kind. But the family leaders, God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord, will oversee our circumstances so whatever happens “yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Heb. 12:11).
This family relationship provides the ultimate support system, and it remains reliable and stable “if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Heb. 3:6).
Assured forgiveness now
There is another aspect of spiritual stability that exists but does not seem to be so well understood as the matters just considered. It should be, because it is the central point of Hebrews 9 and 10 — the blessing of continuous forgiveness of sins to those who are sanctified in Christ.
It was obvious, argues the writer, that the law was a shadow of the true and not the very substance. The fact its sacrifices were “offered year by year continually” proved they could not “make the corners thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshipers once purged should have had no more conscience of [unforgiven] sins” (Heb. 10:1-2).
We have supplied “unforgiven” to complete what we feel is an elliptical expression. Those who are Christ’s still sin and are aware of that fact, thus the phrase cannot mean that once forgiven, a person is no longer aware of committed transgressions. Once forgiven through association with Christ, however, the person is no longer plagued by unforgiven sins. As the chapter continues in explaining benefits of the new covenant, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin” (vs. 17,18).
Verse 14 reinforces this blessing: “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” A key word in this verse is “for ever;” it comes from a Greek word dienekes which occurs only in Hebrews (Heb. 7:3; 10:1,12,14) and means “stretching evenly along, stretching the whole length, unbroken, uninterrupted” (Liddell-Scott Greek Lexicon) or “continuously” (Young’s Concordance) or “perpetually” (Strong’s Concordance).
Not just at the memorial service
Sometimes we may think that sins accumulate unforgiven until the breaking of bread service. The memorial service is a critical time of remembrance of the love of God through the death and resurrection of Christ; because of the forgetful nature of our minds, it is vital to participate lest we are gradually hardened by the deceitfulness of sin and eventually fall away from Christ. But, as clearly expressed in scripture, our sins do not accumulate unforgiven until that time. So long as “ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the gospel” we are presented forgiven of sin — “holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight” (Col. 1:22-23).
Confession of sin part of a right attitude
Again, we may fear that committed sins are not forgiven until they are specifically acknowledged and confessed. If this were true, it would mean we would die with many sins unforgiven because we are unaware of some transgressions we commit, especially those which are sins of omission.
Confession of sin is vital: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:8-9). We must continually acknowledge we do sin and we must acknowledge specific sins when we become aware of them; this is an essential part of continuing in the faith of the gospel.
These verses need to be read in context, however, as verse 7 states: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Confession of sin is thus one of the continuing attitudes of the person who is walking in the light; it is part of the total Christ-like attitude which scripture expresses in a variety of ways, such as: “holding fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope:” “being sanctified;” continuing in the faith; walking in the light, etc.
Thus, if we are unaware of a specific transgression and fail to itemize it, we have the comfort that sin is still forgiven through the great blessing of the redemption we have in Christ, even the forgiveness of our sins.
Stability now
As we approach this new year, we do so with undiminished amazement at the grace of our God. By promise and by oath, He gives us full assurance of the future. By His family care and forgiveness of sins, He provides anchors for our daily lives that we might not be swept up in the uncertainty and anxiety which besets this generation. We thus face the new year with joy and confidence because of the grace of our God and the love of our Lord.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One