Read: Psalm 103:1-3; Romans 3:21-26
Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Heb. 9:22)
When I was a student, a young atheist once asked me, “If God can do anything, can he make a rock so heavy he can’t lift it?” The problem with this absurd riddle is that it misunderstands what God’s omnipotence means. It doesn’t mean that God can do absolutely anything. It means that God can do anything he wills to do. There are no external restraints on God’s almighty power. Nothing can prevent him from accomplishing his purposes.
But there are internal restraints on God’s power. God doesn’t trade in nonsense. The Bible even spells out some things God can’t do. He can’t lie (Num. 23:19), he can’t sin (Hab. 1:13), he can’t fail to do right (Gen. 18:25), he can’t rule falsely (Ps. 19:9). Above all, God cannot deny his character. He can’t suspend his justice and righteousness, but he can and does keep his love and mercy.
Forgiveness is the first and greatest of all God’s benefits because sin is our first and greatest problem. But he can’t simply wave sin away and say, “I forgive you.” The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). There can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ’s death reveals God’s love for us, certainly (John 3:16, Rom. 5:8). But it also reveals God’s righteousness “so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:25-26). At the cross God’s perfect justice combines with God’s infinite mercy to produce forgiveness for all who trust in Jesus. Amazing grace!
As you pray, thank God for his amazing grace, given to you.
David Bast is a writer and pastor who served for 23 years as the President and Broadcast Minister for Words of Hope. In his more than 40 years of devotional writing and preaching, he has been encouraging believers around the world to be shaped by God and his Word.
Prior to his ministry and work at Words of Hope, Dave served as a pastor for 18 years in congregations in the Reformed Church in America. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he is the author of nine devotional books and Bible studies, including God of My Days,Why Doesn't God Act More Like God,Christ in the Psalms, andA Gospel for the World.
Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and eight grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
