The Promise Made!
Behold the lamb who bears our sins away, slain for us and we remember the promise made that all who come in faith find forgiveness at the cross. (Behold the Lamb, Communion Hymn, Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend).
There are many religions and gods in the world. If you study them, you will notice how tribalistic or nationalistic they often are.
You may also observe certain features of these gods and the religions that worship them:
- Most of these “gods” are revered as the makers and protectors of only the people who serve them — they are usually referred to as the gods of a specific people.
- These gods tend to be monolingual — they cannot speak other languages. Some may understand other languages, but they prefer a particular one.
- Outsiders who join these religions must conform to the national or tribal code of the original adherents, including dressing styles and adopting the language of worship.
- These gods are often aligned with the national and tribal goals of their people — if the people hate a certain group, their god also hates and fights against that group.
However, in this hymn, the writer introduces us to a different God, one who has made a promise to “ALL” — what?? I cannot believe it.
Yes, the promise is made to all — people of all classes, nationalities, and backgrounds, both educated and uneducated — without exception. It is not a tribal or nationalistic affair.
What is the qualification? It is given to all who come in faith. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
But faith in what? The hymn writer points us to the words of John the Baptist, who declared:
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
This Lamb does not refer to a baby sheep but to the Son of God, whom God sent into this world as a Savior.
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From the time of the first man and woman who sinned against God, all of us have been imprisoned by sin, living in condemnation and separated from the Holy God who made us. Regardless of our race, we have all been alienated from God and are, therefore, in a state of disfavor — accursed.
Yet, while we were dead in sin, living in this dreadful condition, God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, as our substitute. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, He lived a perfect life of obedience and suffering. He died for sin once and for all, putting an end to its power, and rose victoriously on the third day.
The Bible declares that Jesus is Lord and Christ — the Savior of the world. He is the only way to be reconciled to Almighty God.
All who seek salvation must come to Jesus by faith, looking to Him — the Lamb of God who was slain for us.
This means coming to Him with full assurance and conviction that Jesus walked this earth as we do, that He is the appointed Savior, and that He alone is the way to salvation. We must agree with His words:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).
This also requires renouncing all other supposed sources of salvation and calling upon Him in repentance and faith.
All who come in faith will find forgiveness at the cross, as the promise states.
But what is the cross? It is not just a piece of jewelry or an ornament to wear or kiss. The cross was the place and the instrument by which the Lamb of God was killed. Our Lord Jesus suffered a gruesome and terrible death on the cross — not for Himself, for He had committed no sin — but for the sin of the world.
Because of His death, anyone can be forgiven, no matter how small their sin may seem. Every sin, no matter its size, is an offense against the Holy God of the universe and, therefore, an act of treason — punishable by death.
Now, you may think this sounds extreme. But the Lord Almighty, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, is not like us. He does not ignore offenses against His good name.
All who come in faith will find forgiveness at the cross; the beauty of this good news is that they find more. They become children of the Most High God. You see Christ death accomplished a great salvation which has caused all who have come to Christ to become heirs of the kingdom of God.
Those who have being born-again now work in newness of life before God and are now brothers and sisters united by the blood of Christ which paid for their freedom and for their salvation.
Listen friend to the call of Christ. He is calling you even today to come to him in faith and find forgiveness for your sins. Go to him without delay.
Amen!
