CLEAR UNDERSTANDING
"So let it be clearly known and understood by you, brethren, that through the Man (Jesus Christ) forgiveness and removal of sins is now proclaimed to you; And through Him every one who believes, [that is, who acknowledges Jesus as his Savior and devotes himself to Him] is absolved (cleared and freed) from every charge from which you could not be justified and freed by the Law of Moses, and given right standing with God" (Acts 13:38-39 AMP)
The message doesn't get any clearer than that "EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES AND ACKNOWLEDGES JESUS AS HIS SAVIOR AND DEVOTES HIMSELF TO HIM IS ABSOLVED, JUSTIFIED AND FREED FROM EVERY CHARGE AND GIVEN RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD!" But, a clear warning is also given with the Good News that scoffers and scorners of God and His purposes, who do not put their faith or confidence in Jesus Christ, pass judgment on themselves that they are unworthy of eternal life (Acts 13: 41,46).
After such a clear message, is it any wonder that persecution would follow. Out of the synagogues, people joyfully believed--both Jew and Gentile. When some of the Jews saw this they became jealous and envious, and instigated persecution from prominent people of the town. All the efforts to persecute and stop the message only served to spread it further. And what of those who were persecuted? "And the disciples were continually diffused [throughout their souls] with joy and the Holy Spirit" (Acts 13:52). As the old saying goes, "You can't keep a good man down." Persecution only served to strengthen the messengers and increase their devotion to God and His will. Their clear understanding of salvation through Jesus Christ, given by the Holy Spirit, freed them from the fear of man and infused them with a love of God and their fellowman that could not be restrained. Think about it.
"So let it be clearly known and understood by you, brethren, that through the Man (Jesus Christ) forgiveness and removal of sins is now proclaimed to you; And through Him every one who believes, [that is, who acknowledges Jesus as his Savior and devotes himself to Him] is absolved (cleared and freed) from every charge from which you could not be justified and freed by the Law of Moses, and given right standing with God" (Acts 13:38-39 AMP)
The message doesn't get any clearer than that "EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES AND ACKNOWLEDGES JESUS AS HIS SAVIOR AND DEVOTES HIMSELF TO HIM IS ABSOLVED, JUSTIFIED AND FREED FROM EVERY CHARGE AND GIVEN RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD!" But, a clear warning is also given with the Good News that scoffers and scorners of God and His purposes, who do not put their faith or confidence in Jesus Christ, pass judgment on themselves that they are unworthy of eternal life (Acts 13: 41,46).
After such a clear message, is it any wonder that persecution would follow. Out of the synagogues, people joyfully believed--both Jew and Gentile. When some of the Jews saw this they became jealous and envious, and instigated persecution from prominent people of the town. All the efforts to persecute and stop the message only served to spread it further. And what of those who were persecuted? "And the disciples were continually diffused [throughout their souls] with joy and the Holy Spirit" (Acts 13:52). As the old saying goes, "You can't keep a good man down." Persecution only served to strengthen the messengers and increase their devotion to God and His will. Their clear understanding of salvation through Jesus Christ, given by the Holy Spirit, freed them from the fear of man and infused them with a love of God and their fellowman that could not be restrained. Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
