So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28
Did you ever try to imagine what this world would be like without any sin? We are so used to the lies and deceit, the dishonesty and cruelty all around us that we have a difficult time picturing a sinless society. It would mean everybody you talked with would be totally honest and fair in everything they said. Not only would they be kind and generous, but they would be totally interested in helping you to the utmost of their ability. When was the last time you saw anybody do that? Every business deal would be totally fair and equitable. Nobody’s motives would ever be questionable. Violence would not exist. Neither would cruelty or injustice of any kind. How wonderful that would be! Our text speaks of a time when there will be no sin, and it calls it salvation. And it will be a better salvation than we enjoy now.
The first coming of the Lord Jesus brought us salvation. Because He came and died for our sins, we have forgiveness of sins, deliverance from judgment, and assurance of eternity in Heaven. We also have the Holy Spirit to indwell us to comfort, strengthen, and sustain us. It’s a wonderful salvation. But we are still in the presence of sin. We live in weak and failing flesh that, unless the Rapture occurs first, will soon die and decay. Despite the best behaviour of the Lord’s people, most of those around us are not saved and are powerless to live their lives in anything but sinfulness. So our salvation is muted by the environment in which we exist. But this environment is temporary, and we look forward to a better one, when our salvation is perfect.
The salvation that we will enjoy in Heaven is the same as what we enjoy here, except for the total absence of sin. But what a difference that absence makes! It eliminates all sorrow and death, all disappointment and discomfort, all the negatives of earth. And it introduces some new capabilities for us. For example, we often wish that we could appreciate our Lord more. That wish will be granted in the Glory. So will our desire to understand more of the Word of God. In fact, we are told that the unfolding of the riches of the grace of our Lord Jesus will occupy us throughout a joyous eternity: ‘That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus’ (Ephesians 2:7).
Do you long for the deliverance from this world of sin? Keep looking for the Lord Jesus to come and give you that deliverance. He will come, and our salvation will be full. – Jim MacIntosh