The Plan Before It All Began
Did you know that the answer for our sin was provided before we ever sinned? God planned that Jesus would die on the cross before He even made the world or mankind? Revelation 13:8 says that Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. God already knew that Adam would sin and that we would need a remedy for that sin and the curse it brought. Therefore, the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) planned that Jesus would die to pay for it all.
And did you know that before you or I sin, Jesus already shed His blood and gave His life to take care of it? All we have to do is receive the forgiveness that He died to obtain for us.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. I John 1:7 (KJV)
This does not give us liberty to deliberately, willfully, rebeliously sin, but it provides forgiveness and cleansing for those who are sincere in their relationship with God, wanting to please Him. The word cleanseth in this verse actually means continuous cleansing in the Greek. As we stay in relationship with the Lord, repenting and receiving forgiveness for any sin we may commit, we are continually cleansed. It is not a one-time event, but an ongoing thing.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 (KJV)
This verse includes deliberate sins, the ones we choose to do. If we confess those sins before the Lord, we are forgiven and cleansed- based on what was already done by Jesus.
Did you know that not only did God have a plan before the foundation of the world to deal with sin, but also to provide health and healing?
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:24 (KJV)
This verse uses the phrase were healed. That is past tense, meaning it already happened. This means that before we were sick spiritually, Jesus bore our sins; and before we were sick physically, Jesus provided our healing. Peter was actually quoting the prophet Isaiah when he wrote that verse.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)
This verse in Isaiah actually speaks of healing provided for Jesus for the whole person, spirit, soul, and body (I Thessalonians 5:23)
Wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, refers to healing of the spirit. Healing for the spirit to be born again and healing for those who are broken in spirit.
The chatisement of our peace was upon him refers to healing for the soul (the mind, will and emotions).
With his stripes we are healed refers to physical healing.
My point is that whatever we need- even before a need ever exists- God already provided the solution. All we have to do is believe it and receive it. That is the past tense of faith. He already wrote the check. Now all we have to do is cash it and enjoy what has been provided.
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For further study: Ephesians 1:3, Romans 5:6,10, Romans 8:32, I Corinthians 2:12, John 1:29
