David calls this man "blessed."
The man whom the LORD does not impute sin.
"Impute" means that he does not punish sin.
Now, the man still commits sin, does he not?
Otherwise, there would be no sin to impute in the first place!
So, what do we have here?
A picture of the Gospel!
Paul announced this clear change in covenants to his people:
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." (Acts 13:38-39)
We must understand that righteousness is a gift which God keeps on giving to us:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)
This gift is something that we receive, even when we sin (verb):
"7Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." (Romans 4:7-8)
Paul later explains that this gift of righteousness sets us free from sin!
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:1-4)
We are released from sin, when we recognize that we are released from the penalty and granted a new life!
This Gospel is a deep offense to man.
The moment that we tell people that all their sins are forgiven, they become fearful and indignant.
"You are giving them license to sin!"
Yet Paul knocks down that lie without blinking.
On the contrary--we are giving people the power to overcome sin.
In effect, men and women are set free from sin ... when they know that they are free to sin without punishment.
Let us not forget that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
Man needs LIFE!
Jesus came to provide us life--Himself!
I am free to sin?
No thanks!
Life is better! His life is the best!
"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:4)
When I know that there is no longer any condemnation for sin--guess what? I do not want to sin!
I receive His spirit and life, and I have no desire for dead things.
We are truly set free when we know the Truth Who sets us free! (John 8:32)
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