36:30-32
God’s salvation affects us, and it must affect us, but it also has wider implications. The world around us will become more fruitful. It brings a Biblical prosperity. “Then you will remember ...” One of the things that God’s salvation does is make us aware of our sinfulness, and we detest our former ways. We start to hate sin. We then get another declaration that God is not doing this for our sake. There is nothing about us that merits salvation. We need to be keenly aware of that fact.
36:33
“On that day I cleanse you from all your sins”. We need have no fear of facing up to the reality of our sins. Yet it is human nature to not want to face up to this reality, for we fear that the reality of our sinfulness can only mean punishment for us. This is why the atoning work of Christ on the cross is so important and such good news. Through His blood all our guilt is paid for. It is also why those who deny the penal substitutionary aspect of the cross are complete nutters. Why deny such a gift from God? “I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt”. The gospel is about forgiveness, but that is not all that it is about, it is about rebuilding our lives. God’s purposes will be fulfilled.
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