Commentary on "Walking in the Light: Turning Away From Sin"

GRACE CARLSON

 

Day 6: Thursday, July 16, 2009

 

Overview

Thursday's lesson discusses how forgiveness from our sins is only possible through Jesus. He explains that Jesus is our Advocate, and not only has He paid the penalty for our sins, but that He intervenes for us. The author sums this up by stating, "John therefore portrays Jesus as Sacrifice and Intercessor. In the context of the New Testament witness, this implies that Jesus lived a sinless life among us, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven, where He intercedes in our behalf."

 

Problems

While Hebrews 7:25 does speak of God making intercession for us, "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for him", the Bible does not support the SDA belief that Jesus is currently in the Most Holy Place pleading before the Father for our sins.

First, this false view separates the Godhead. The Bible is clear that the Father has entrusted His Son to all things, "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form" (Col. 2:9). Second, grace and forgiveness does not need to be pried out of God the Father. Jesus does not need to continually plead on our behalf. His righteousness covered our sins the day Jesus died and declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30). Hebrews 10:10 says, “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:12 further reiterates this fact by saying, "But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God."

A thorough reading of the book of Hebrews shows no references to two compartments in Heaven, nor to an ongoing "judgment" where Jesus is pleading on our behalf before the Father.

At calvary, Jesus paid the price for our sins. For those who believe in Him, and trust Him as their Lord and Savior, are cleansed by the blood and presented perfect before the Heavenly Father. Any other interpretation of the atonement is non-Biblical.

 

Summary

1. As believers, we can trust that at calvary, we are justified.
2. Jesus does not need to continually plead on our behalf before the Father.
3. There are not two separate compartment in Heaven as depicted in the SDA belief of the Sanctuary doctrine.

 

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