Commentary on "Cities of Refuge"

MARK MARTIN

 

Day 7: Friday, December 25, 2009

 

Merry Christmas! I pray that you are thankful for Christ every day.

The last sentence from the Patriarchs and Prophets needs some examining. The phrase “…it is not enough that the sinner believe in Christ for the pardon of sin…” is troubling. Now if you take the word believing to be mere intellectual acknowledgment then there is no problem. The word in Koine Greek that is usually translated in the New Testament as ‘believe’ is pisteo and it is better translated as trust which is active faith not a mere intellectual acknowledgment.

 

Discussion Question 1

We differentiate between forgiveness of sin and crime quite simply. Crime as it occurs on this planet must be punished by a criminal justice system. Sin for those who have accepted Christ has already been punished on the Cross; and punishment of those who have not accepted God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ is God’s business.

 

Discussion Question 2

The Lord saw fit to issue a death penalty and we need to have justice and deterence here and now. That being said, there is nothing wrong with preaching repentance and the cross of Christ to those being punished for crime or awaiting the punishment of death.

 

Discussion Question 3

We need to read all of God’s Word, being certain to have proper context which the Holy Spirit will use to reveal present day application for us and others.

 

Discussion Question 4

This question has mostly been answered in previous lessons this week. Taking refuge in Christ should change us greatly. We should no longer feel the guilt of our sin burdening us, we should show great gratitude for salvation by living a Christ-like life that draws others to Him, and we are not ashamed of the Cross or Christ.

 

Discussion Question 5

We administer church discipline based upon the New Testament model and the direction of the Holy Spirit.

 

Discussion Question 6

The cities of refuge were designated places accessible to anyone who was pursued by the avenger. Once they were in the city they were safe and secure and could not be judged. Obviously being saved and kept was not based upon one’s performance or obedience. It was based on a provision of undeserved grace.

 

Discussion Question 7

Carefully thinking this through, can we have eternal security in Jesus who is the Reality of which the cities of refuge were a picture?

 

Discussion Question 8

Do I have absolute assurance of salvation? Do I understand and believe 1 John 5:10-14? Can I ever have assurance of my salvation? Is it God’s will for me to always be wondering if I am saved?“

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” NASU

 

Summary

1. Jesus is our refuge and we can know that we are secure in Him when the Law comes to condemn us.
2. We can know that we have eternal life and are saved, secure and kept saved by Jesus.

 

 

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