sinvsiniquity

SIN VS INIQUITY

Jesus Christ bled for our sins, but he was bruised for our iniquity. Sin is something that you do, it is an action, a word, it is outward facing, external, just as bleeding is. However iniquity is that within us that causes us to sin. Having a quick temper is iniquity. One does not choose to have a quick temper, one is either born this way or develops this iniquity somehow (nature or nurture).

Jesus Christ called the Pharisees “whitewashed tombs”. This must have been a very odd accusation to many of the onlookers because, by all outward appearance, the Pharisees were the most righteous of all. But Jesus Christ saw their hearts, saw what was within them, their iniquity. In fact, after his accusations, the Pharisees first course of action was to conspire to kill Jesus, thus confirming the accuracy of his vision.

The Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that not only have our sins been completely and eternally dealt with by Jesus, but so too have our iniquities. Jesus Christ held the mirror of truth aloft and let the Pharisees look at themselves, and they didn’t like what they saw, and neither do many of us. Jesus Christ does not expect us to deal with our iniquities, because we cannot. Only he could deal with them, and the good news is that, he already has. Jesus Christ simply wants us to come to him just as we are, with all of the baggage, and with all of the problems and with all of the various ways in which we were born. He asks us to come to him just as we are, and his promise two thousand years ago remains the same today. He will not reject anyone who comes to him, regardless of their condition, regardless of what they have within them. Though we all be dead inside, like the Pharisees, Jesus Christ can and will make us alive and rejects none who seek him.

Regardless of what you’ve done, regardless of what you may be harboring within you, Jesus Christ loves you and will not reject you. He rejected none whom sought him two thousand years ago and the good news is that though the world may have changed much in that time, Jesus Christ is the same. Jesus Christ wants to help you with your problems, he does not expect you to deal with them yourself, if he did, he would not have suffered and died for you. If you would like to meet Jesus and have him begin the process of changing you inside and out, simply pray something like the prayer below:

Dear Jesus,

I know that I have sinned against you and I know that I have iniquities within me, things that cause me to act out in ways I would not like to. I know that you died for my sins and were bruised for my iniquities. I ask you Jesus to please forgive me of my sins and to rid me of my iniquities. I accept you as my savior and lord and I ask you to come into my life and to begin to change me and make me the person you would have me be. Thank you Jesus that you have heard my prayer and that you are now alive in my life and working in me. In your name I pray, Amen.