Monday: Innocent Blood
We often hear the question of “innocent” suffering. The Bible even uses the phrase “innocent blood” (Isa. 59:7, Jer. 22:17, Joel 3:19), usually in the context of assault, or even murder, of people who didn’t deserve what happened to them.
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If we use this understanding of “innocent blood,” then, as we all know, our world is filled with many examples of it.
On the other hand, the Bible does talk about the reality of human sinfulness and human corruption, which brings up a valid question about the meaning of “innocent.” If everyone has sinned, if everyone has violated God’s law, then who is truly innocent? As someone once said, “Your birth certificate is proof of your guilt.”
Though theologians and Bible scholars for centuries have debated the exact nature of the human relationship to sin, the Bible is clear that sin has impacted all humanity. The idea of human sinfulness is not found only in the New Testament. On the contrary, the New Testament exploration of the theme expands on what was written in the Old Testament.
What do the following texts teach about the reality of sin? 1 Kings 8:46, Ps. 51:5, Prov. 20:9, Isa. 53:6, Rom. 3:10–20.
Besides the clear testimony of Scripture, anyone who has ever known the Lord personally, who has seen a glimpse of God’s goodness and holiness, knows the reality of human sinfulness. In that sense, who among us (we’re going to skip, for now, the whole question of babies and young children) is truly “innocent”?
On the other hand, that’s not really the point. Job was a sinner; in that sense he wasn’t innocent, any more than his own children weren’t innocent. And yet, what had he done, or they done, to deserve the fate that befell them? Is this not, perhaps, the ultimate question for humanity in regard to suffering? Contrary to his friends’ “defenses of clay” (Job 13:12, NKJV), Job knew that what was happening to him was not something that he deserved.
| How does the experience of knowing God and His holiness, which makes our own sinfulness painful, help us see our absolute need of the Cross? |
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We have tribulations, not because we have sin, but because we are sinners.
Sorry Marcos, but I disagree with your statement here. Pain and suffering are a result of sin, not necessarily our sin. That is the unfairness of sin. It is not a question of causality but the fact that sin exists.
I do not deny that there are some cause/effect situations, but being innocent in no protection from the effects of sin.
Dear maurice. Thank for your comment. But, I believe. That you don't understood my words: I told that, the tribulations there are in our life why we are sinners, and not, why we have some sin, or we are with one sin. Job had pain, but he was not with sin. But he was sinner as all us. The tribulations there are because we are sinner since birth.
Hi Marcos; we are on the same wavelength I see now that your original sentence should have read: "We have tribulations, not because we have sinned, but because we are sinners." That makes a big difference and I agree with that.
We are not sinners from birth but have sinful tendencies from birth
Jesus is of course the prime example of this suffering of the innocent. He chose to suffer with us and for us, at our hands even.
The entire universe is now witness to two extremes; one who causes all types of indiscriminate suffering and one who willingly bears all types of underserved suffering. The motivations, are hate versus love. Each is intent on achieving their purposes; destruction or restoration beyond affliction. Choice is the gift that makes each possible but God's plan of redemption will put the redeemed beyond the reach of temptation to sin because of the 'innocent blood'.
If I were wanting to be precise I would say that the two motivations instead of hate and love are selfishness and love.
Selfishness is the motivation we have naturally. Even God HATES sin but He is not selfishly motivated to do so. Selfishness is the primary motivation for sin in my humble opinion.
Selfishness = hate. They are the same thing. To hate means to love less than self.
Adam and Eve chose a sinful life for everyone while they were enjoying a sinless life in Eden. When Christ interposed He made sure that everyone is allowed to decide their own destiny so that we won't blame Adam tomorrow. Unfortunately this we will have to do while in a fallen world full of suffering and death.
Christ's mercy meant that our fate had to fall on Him through the cross as He opened our only way back to Eden. This second chance leaves us as debtors to the Son of God, therefore we cannot boast of His righteousness as if we earned it.
Since the cross symbolises suffering, our choice brings us more suffering. This might be the reason why innocent people tend to suffer more.
I feel the Cross simbolizes salvation,and i think in our era suffering is due to sin, we live in a sinful but the choice we make decides our fate.
Knowing God and His righteousness for me is like looking in a mirror and seeing that there is dirt on my face - Christ sacrifice on the cross is the cleansing. Every day I need to clean the dirt off my face because every day I commit sin - the cross shows me what I am, and shows me how much I need Jesus every day.
The more we know jesus, is the more we see the defects of sin, we start to see things about ourselves that we need to change.
In terms of job, he knew he was sinful, but just like his friends,he also believed in a retributive theology. Therefore, what you reap is what you sow. this thinking,makes things get a little tricky. Becuse job understood that humans are sinful he understood the burden of sin too. However, he knew that by doing the right things was a way to avoid God's wrath. hence he did not give in to his sinful nature, yet he is suffering.
So this is a puzzle for him, because, again, he believed in a retributive punishment theology. He did not realized that you can suffer because of your faithfulness.
My question here is "who are the Innocent here or the Innocent blood that the lesson is talking about since all have sinned and come short of the glory of Almighty God?
Okechukwu, the lesson brings out three powerful points here in relation to the Innocent undergoing suffering. Firstly it highlights individuals who die at the hands of murderers, those who's feet run to evil and their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity. It then highlights innocence in-spite of being born and shaped as sinful beings. JOB is a prime example, who despite his fate of being born a sinner, choose to rise above that and live a life with his thoughts and actions exemplifying that of christlikedness and by virtue was deemed an upright and faithful man in the sight of GOD. His persecution then by the devil, of course allowed by God, because ultimately was not what he deserved, can be deemed human suffering of an innocent.And of course, thirdly we know the ultimate shedding of innocent blood was that of God's beloved son who by virtue has redeemed us and offers us salvation to be finally rid of sin and acceptance of our long awaited birthright.
Sunday: According to the Bible (Jer. 22:17, Isa. 59:7, Joel 3:19) the term "innocent blood" is used in the context of assault or murder of persons who didn't deserve what happened to them. However the Bible tells us of the reality of the sinfulness of mankind as Psalm 51:5 tells that we were born in sin and Romans chapter 3 says plainly that there is none righteous, not one. Thank God for imputed righteousness so that we can become partakers of his righteousness.
what does it mean to be a partaker in His righteousness?
This lesson has truly crushed my spirit, not only does it fail to recognize the only true definition of sin* but it consistently fails to recognize the distinction that God has made between Job and the unrighteous. God calls Job “blameless” this lesson calls him a “sinner” and “sinful.” One error build on another error, “not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God,” (Mt 22:29) we fail to recognize that suffering is in God’s plan. Like labor and delivery, our suffering can be intense but it’s PAIN WITH A PURPOSE.
(1 Peter 3:14) But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are BLESSED.“And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”[a]
(1 Peter 4:13) but REJOICE to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
(Revelation 2:10) Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
*Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it, is to defend it. Could excuse for it be found, or cause be shown for its existence, it would cease to be sin. Our only definition of sin is that given in the Word of God; it is “the transgression of the law;” it is the outworking of a principle at war with the great law of love which is the foundation of the divine government. {GC88 492.2}
Of course this requires faith in God’s word and whatever is not of faith is sin (Ro 14:12)
In all the verses given, not one tells us that our birth was a sin, rather, it is our choice to sin that brings guilt upon us. Ps 51: 5 is poetic language that describes our hereditary and environmental influences are fallen and sinful, giving anyone little opportunity to be found innocent of sin themselves once they have become accountable for their choices. But until we sin, we are not guilty. The problem is we learn to sin quite early in our lives with so many examples of how to sin around us.
If being born to a fallen woman is guilt, then Jesus would have been guilty.
Job was not being punished for sin, since God had declared him righteous, and the Bible is clear that when the wicked are finally given the “wages of sin”, they will know it. They will have acknowledged their guilt and God's justice. Look at the punishment of those by the flood and the eternal fire that fell on the wicked cities, none of that was without warning and entreaty from God's faithful servants.
The cross tells us how far in suffering real love is ready to go. Like the Farther of the Prodigal son. He was ready to suffer for all the shame that the boy had cast on him to show His love. That is grace!
That is the essence of the Gospel. Not to be \"blameless\" in observing the law, but not to be ready to suffer in love.
I think this is also the essence of Job\'s story. No matter what happens to us, God is faithful not because we are blameless but because we are seen as blameless in Christ.
For us as SDA this is an very important lesson. We see that people must first stop smoking, drinking...
then accept all \"the truths\". Then we can talk about repentance and grace...
As if the Farther had first blamed the son of his filthy appearance and deeds and then asked him to come to the house for a couple of days to show that he truly is worth to trust...
As this kind of love - that really changes the lives -is not in us. That\'s why we are all sinners and need badly His cross and grace!
Thank you all for the inspiring discussions as I suffer of my influenza today at home.
Ritva, isn't being "ready to suffer in love" the true fulfilling of the Law? Isn't this what Jesus demonstrated and what Paul wrote in Rom 13:10? We cannot separate them, though some may try.
If we are diligent in teaching the Gospel, it will be evident that sins against ourselves are great road-blocks to advancement in faith. Jesus was always encouraging those who came to Him to "go and sin no more". No one needs to answer to us, but all need to answer to God who is Holy and asks all who claim to believe in Jesus to be holy like Him. In fact, He promises to make them Holy, and being "reproved, corrected and instructed in righteousness" is what the Gospel brings to all who will receive it to be saved from sin. Study the Beatitudes and see the Gospel Order presented beautifully by Jesus. Christ cannot help the unrepentant.
When it comes to what we need to repent of, sinners know before they are told by others. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would convict all sinners of their sin, of what was right, and that they are accountable to God.(John 16:8)
Yes, love is the fulfilling of the law, and will lead to being cleansed "from all unrighteousness".
With the prodigal son, his very act of returning to his father proved all that needed to be proven, which is why the father was so quick to accept him back. Pride would have prevented the son from returning home, so his return revealed that all foolish pride was gone, and only true repentance and his great need remained. Nothing else is required. God does the rest.
Notice, the father did not go out and drag his son home. Repentance is our part and always the result wherever true faith is exercised and it is great peril to forget or overlook this. Notice Jesus message to all sinners in Mark 1:15.
Repentance never earns grace, but repentance is how we receive grace as the gift of God unto eternal life.
Wishing you a speedy recovery from the flu!
Are you sure that Grace is not the way we receive repentance? It seems to me, with my study, that Repentance comes to us by the Grace of God and not by our own might--Repentance being something God has to put within us so that we can work it out with fear and trembling.
Repentance comes to us by the Grace of God. It is brought into our experience. Then we must work it out. It is not in us to repent with our natural selfishly motivated mind. We must permit God to give us the power to truly repent or our repentance is like filthy rags.
Don, there are many aspects to God's grace. Yes, repentance comes from realizing the goodness of God(Rom 2:4), yet if pride prevents genuine repentance, God's grace offered through justification by faith, cannot be experienced(Ps 32:5). Repentance is our first response to the conviction of sin and need of Christ's propitiation for the remission of sin. Repentance is how we demonstrate faith in His blood offered for sinners. If not, then how is it demonstrated?
Robert, I see repentance as quite necessary in our experience and quite demonstrable by us, but it is God,s work in us to make it possible to repent motivated properly by God's Love since we don't naturally have anything but selfishness to motivate us to repentance. Without God's Spirit we cannot know His Love. It all boils down to our choice to allow Him to perform His complete work of salvation to rid us of our pride and to give us the right motivation for our repentance. Otherwise our righteousness is like "filthy rags" to Him.
John the baptist, Jesus, and after Him, the apostles, all preached repentance and encouraged all to "believe the gospel" of Christ. Eternal life requires our proper response by faith to meet the conditions of God's everlasting covenant to any who will "receive [Jesus] and believe on His name". The types and shadows also gave this clear message to all who would be restored into the image of God. The father was able to pour out his love upon his prodigal son because repentance had led him back home to where the father's rich blessings could be poured out upon the once lost/dead son.
Clearly, the prodigal was motivated by a selfish motive (food and shelter) to return home, but his father's response upon his return changed even his motives don't you think? God often draws us to Him through our selfish motives, but once in His presence, a great change will come upon all who acknowledge the indescribable goodness God shows to sinners.
No one can deny that God first comes to us with His wonderful invitation, yet it is our response that determines whether or not God can pour out His grace fully upon us. Most sinners will end up eternally lost, yet God has been gracious to all. Faith shown by repentance is the great difference. Doesn't Paul point this out in his letter to Titus(2:11-14)?