Filthy Rags

Dear Bro. Don,

I read with interest your article on “Filthy Rags” (7/01 editorial). I agree with your conclusion on the matter, having been brought to that conclusion many years ago by the diligence of Bro. Richard Stone.

The current “state” of the brethren and sisters of Christ has been unfortu­nately diminished by overemphasis on our ways of sin rather than the grace which God has extended to us through His Son. Are we thus “full of sin” as some have said, or are we in grace and therefore viewed by our Lord as set apart and “sitting together in heavenly places” (Eph. 2:6)?

We are instructed that we should approach the throne of grace with confi­dence. How are we to do this if we are continually whipping ourselves be­cause of our sins? It would be like a depressed son walking around the house with head hung low because of being continually criticized by a parent.

Jim Land, Newport Coast, CA

A vital passage on this matter is found in Hebrews 10:1-22. Key phrases there are “…make the corners thereunto perfect …had no more conscience of sins…he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified… their sins and iniq­uities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin” (Heb. 10:1,2,14,17-18). The word ‘for ever” in verse 14 is not the normal Greek word ‘for ever” but is a term meaning, “Stretching evenly along, stretching the whole length, unbroken, uninterrupted” (Liddell-Scott Greek Lexicon). The Greek word (dienekes) is used only in Hebrews 7:3; 10:1,12,14. The idea expressed is that of a “state” of forgiveness through the grace of God so long as the person remains “sanctified” in Christ by a faith which works by love.

This does not obviate the necessity of an attitude which confesses sins and repents therefrom. That is an essential component of a broken spirit and con­trite heart. It does express, however, the exceeding riches of God’s grace in Christ Jesus to forgive our sins and not impute them to us. Consequently, instead of wallowing in a mindset of the Calvinistic doctrine of total depravity, we can daily rejoice in the forgiveness of sins by His grace.