The main theological topic addressed in Don Fortner’s article “When He Had by Himself Purged Our Sins” is the comprehensive nature of Christ’s atonement and the complete removal of sin for believers. Fortner argues that through Christ’s sacrificial death, all the sins of God's elect have been fully purged, rather than merely covered, as is affirmed in Hebrews 1:3. He supports his points with various Scripture references, highlighting how the Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 3:9) anticipates this act of grace, while also drawing from Psalms (Psalms 103:12) and Romans (Romans 4:25) to illustrate the transformational impact of this purging on the believer’s standing before God. The practical significance of this doctrine is profound, offering comfort and assurance of eternal security for believers, as it underscores that through Christ’s work, they are declared not guilty and liberated from sin's dominion.
Key Quotes
“The Lord Jesus Christ has by himself completely purged away and removed forever all the sins of all his people.”
“Sin laid upon us like a heavy heavy burden on a man's shoulders and God said I will remove the burden.”
“To be justified is to be declared Not guilty.”
“Sin shall not have dominion over you for ye are not under the law but under grace.”
What does the Bible say about purging our sins?
The Bible teaches that Christ has purged our sins completely by His blood, removing them permanently.
Hebrews 1:3, Zechariah 3:9
How do we know justification is true?
Scripture assures us that through faith in Christ, we are declared 'not guilty' in God's court.
Romans 4:25, Hebrews 9:14
Why is the removal of sin's punishment important for Christians?
The removal of sin's punishment signifies liberation from guilt and the guarantee of eternal life.
Galatians 3:13
What are the effects of Christ's sacrifice on sin?
Christ's sacrifice removes sin's guilt, defilement, and dominion over believers.
Romans 4:25, John 13:10, Romans 6:14
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; - Hebrews 1:3“When he had by himself purged our sins”
The Lord God our Savior promised that he would remove the iniquity of his people in one day, by one tremendous act of grace (Zech. 3:9); and he has done it. The Lord Jesus Christ has, by himself, completely purged away and removed forever all the sins of all his people. His blood has not merely covered our sins, but purged them. His blood has not only remitted the iniquities, transgressions, and sins of his people, but removed them. This is forgiveness, pardon, absolution. Sometimes God promises to “cover” our sins - “Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Truly, that man is blessed whose sin has been covered by God. Sometimes the Lord speaks of “blotting out,” or “erasing” our sins. “I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” The Lord God has blotted out our sins from the ledgers of justice.
Here, and in Zechariah’s prophecy, the Lord describes this great work of redemption and grace as the purging and removal of our sins. How I delight in this! The Lord Jesus Christ has, by his precious blood, purged and graciously removed our sins. Our sins, like a great, high mountain, stood between us and God. We could not climb over it; and God could not cross it. So he said, “I will remove it!” Sin laid upon us like a heavy, heavy burden on a man’s shoulders; and God said, “I will remove the burden.” He took the burden off our shoulders, put it upon himself, carried it up to Calvary’s hill and flung it into his tomb, where he left the dead thing. Christ has finished the transgression, made an end of sin and brought in an everlasting righteousness for his people (Psa. 103:12; Jer. 50:20; Num. 23:21). What is this removal of iniquity? It is…
•The Removal Of Sin’s Punishment (Gal. 3:13) -- That person whom God pardons cannot be punished for sin again. Christ was punished in our stead. “Payment God cannot twice demand, First at my bleeding Surety’s hand, And then again at mine!”
•The Removal Of Sin’s Guilt -- To be justified is to be declared, “Not guilty!” In the court of heaven, we were declared not guilty when Christ died (Rom. 4:25). And in the court of conscience, as soon as a sinner trusts Christ, he is declared, “Not guilty!” (Heb. 9:14; John 16:8-11). Miracle of miracles, Almighty God has removed from us the guilt of sin. He sees no sin in us, upon us, or about us!
•The Removal Of Sin’s Defilement -- Though in ourselves we are yet aware, increasingly aware, of sin’s defilement, before God through the blood of Christ, we are pure and holy. Our Savior says, “Ye are clean!” (John 13:10).
•The Removal Of Sin’s Dominion -- “The position of sin in a natural man is that of a king on his throne, the position of sin in a Christian is that of a bandit hiding in secret places trying to get back its old usurped dominion, but failing in the attempt, for ‘sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace’” (C. H. Spurgeon).
•The Removal Of Sin’s Being -- Soon we shall be delivered from this body of sin (Rom. 7:25). When we have left this body of sin, we shall have left sin!
•The Removal Of Sin’s Sorrow -- It is written, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” - In heaven’s glory there shall be “no more sorrow,” not even for sin!
•The Removal Of Sin’s Consequences -- God has removed from his people all the consequences of sin. And soon, he shall remove the very slime of the serpent’s trail from his creation.
Sin is the attempt of men and devils to rob God of his glory. But he has foiled his enemies. He will get glory to himself even by the wrath of man (Psa. 76:10), “The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” But the righteous God makes even the wrath of man to praise him.
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