2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 26:12-27:34 ESV, Romans 4:13-5:5 ESV, Psalm 14:1-7 ESV, Proverbs 19:17 ESV
Daily Verse: “For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.” (Romans 4:15 ESV)
PARABIS (3847): “Parabasis is the act of excessive and enormous transgression of a stated law or a given commandment. This word means primarily “a going aside,” then “an overstepping,” is used metaphorically to denote “transgression” (always a breach of law). Negatively, where there is no law since “transgression” implies the violation of laws, none having been enacted between Adam’s “transgression” and those under the Law, Rom. 4:15.” [i]
Going aside.
Paul explains the necessity of faith. Using Abraham as an example, Paul describes how our forefather’s beliefs helped him persevere. At 100 years old, married to a barren woman, Abraham’s faith never weakened when God promised to make him the father of many nations. Abraham didn’t live to see it all, but he did see the beginning.
When Isaac came into the world, he fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham. As a result, God declared the patriarch righteous because of his faith. Abraham strayed in his walk, going aside from what God wanted, but justified by his faith, he gained God’s peace.
No transgression
Today, we have Jesus to save us from our transgressions. When we go sideways, Christ draws us back to Him. Consequences exist for our misdeeds, but we needn’t fear God. When God looks at us, He sees Jesus, who makes us righteous.
Living for Christ means striving to imitate what He did. Jesus lived a sinless life. Once we become aware of our imperfections, convicted by the Holy Spirit, we should do our best not to do it again. We will falter; everyone does. But the joy of the Lord comes through His fresh mercy each day.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)
Not a day goes by we don’t commit some type of transgression. A white lie here, an overindulgence there, everyone struggles with their sinful nature. But each morning when we rise, we can confess our misdeeds to the Savior and try again. Sincere apologies go a long way to living at peace with those around you. God forgives you the minute you confess your sin; hopefully, with time, others will too.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 188) Thomas Nelson
