The Lord has gone through “the most impossible” in order to make the forgiveness of sins possible. Thus, He can safely forgive us. He endured the greatest pain. Not only the Lord, the Father and the Holy Spirit also suffered the most. The Father chastised His Beloved Son. The Lord endured the greatest pain on the cross. It appears that God is very strict. Indeed, God is holy. Isaiah was very close to God, yet when he saw God’s glory, he said, “Woe is me! For I am lost…” (Isaiah 6:5) It’s precious that God touched his lips with a burning coal. (Isaiah 6:7) In Zechariah chapter 3, Joshua the high priest was standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan was standing at his right hand to accuse him. It’s very precious that the Lord rebuked Satan for him.
The Lord’s love behind His strict attitude toward sins is far greater than what we can describe. That’s why His hatred of sin is so severe. He has shown man the terrible consequences of sin, God’s righteousness and holiness. Therefore, we should not imitate the people of Israel, thinking that we can be justified by works of the law, or rely on ourselves. The old covenant represents self-reliance, contrary to grace. Grace is not relying on oneself. We ought to rely on the Holy Spirit. The Lord has saved me from sins through salvation by His blood. Man can only be justified by His sacrifice once and for all. There is no other hope. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. We treasure that we can preach the gospel because there is no other way for our sins to be forgiven, nor is there any other way to save us from sins. The gospel tells more than the forgiveness of sins. We accept Him to be our Saviour so He can save us from sins, and from living a sinful life.
Now He lives in us. Once we believe in Him, the Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us life. We are united with the Lord. We have become a branch on the true vine. Otherwise, it’s impossible for us to be saved. Now we live by faith in the Son of God. We cannot rely on our past experiences or knowledge. We need His help in our spirit. He gives us life and strength. This is the only way to overcome sins, and rise again should we fall. Nothing in the whole universe can help us unless we rely on Him again. He is the only Saviour, and there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12).
I treasure that He is called Jesus. He will save His people from their sins. Not only were our sins forgiven, our lives were also changed. There’s a pure love behind His action. The Bible tells us about the wrath of the Lamb. What can be gentler than a lamb? The appearance of a lamb gives us the impression of gentleness. However, besides from talking about the blood of the Lamb, Revelation also talks about the wrath of the Lamb. My righteous anger is also strong. If you love others, you will care. Of course, I will not let the sun go down on my anger. I also have love. Have you ever considered how evil people can be when they don’t know God? That’s why the Bible says God’s wrath remains on those who do not obey the Son. John 3:36 reads, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” It’s actually God’s grace that these people are still alive.
Having gained the forgiveness of God is indeed His immense grace. The Son of God became a Man and endured the greatest pain. Even till eternity, no one can comprehend what pain The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit endured. He forgives our sins and gives us peace. He cleanses our conscience. Who else in the whole universe can give this to you? This is only possible through the Son, sent by the Father. He’s the Saviour of the world. It’s so precious that we did not come to Mount Sinai. We were saved not by our own effort. We have come to Mount Zion. His true love is greater than His wrath. His forgiveness is real; His acceptance is true. His Father-and-son affection is also very true. Grace is greater than transgression. It’s so precious that we have come to Mount Zion. Mount Sinai represents the laws. Mount Zion represents grace.
Hebrews 12:22-24 reads, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews makes reference to “better” about twelve times and this is the last mention. Hebrews takes us to a better covenant, to Mount Zion. This passage is so precious because we have come to Mount Zion. Now we are standing in grace, in the delight and countenance of the Father and the Lord. All our sins have been forgiven.
Roman 5:1-2 reads, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” What we have gained and will receive are very precious. This is the reason why we can rejoice in sufferings. The passage stating that “we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand”, complements well with the passage in Hebrews 12 that we’ve just read. It shows us where we are—coming to Mount Zion. This is God’s grace to us. Hebrews chapter 2 tells us that the Father will bring many sons to glory. Therefore, we ought to live in the condition described in the later part of Hebrews chapter 12.