The Power of Forgiveness

There are four aspects to forgiveness from the Hebrew and Aramaic word pictures for forgiveness that show we have "power in the blood" of Jesus Christ. The first is kaphar which means to "cover the mouth for the person." The subtitutionary sacrifice of Jesus was foreshadowed on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) when the blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat. The second word is khasa where God "shuts the case" and pardons the sin. The third is nasa where the sin and guilt is "taken off and lifted away" just like the goat in the wilderness on the Day of Atonement. The fourth word is only used of God, salakh, and not only is the guilt taken away, but the entire debt is paid and erased. The word used in the New Testament combines all of these aspects and is shebaq. God had sent our sins away in Christ. Oh what a Savior!

Come to the Altar by Voices of Lee

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