Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

The primary meaning of remission is release from bondage, set free. I love that, it is true, but the modern meaning might just be even more telling when compared to other scriptures about sin. That would be in the same sense as the remission of cancer. Being in remission means simply that you still have the cancer, it is no longer active, it is no longer killing you.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Romans 6:1, 6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

We can see from these scriptures that we have been set free but sin would entangle us and return us to bondage if it were not for the efforts of the executor, the Holy Spirit, to keep us free. In this we have that steward’s responsibility to keep free from entanglements.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Hebrews 9:16-17 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Since a testament is in force, like all good last will and testaments, an executor of the estate must be named. Since these promises we are looking at are from God then the only one who has the power to enforce those promises is God Himself. We see this to be true in the naming of the Holy Spirit as the executor of the estate.

John 15:26, 16:7 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

As executor the Holy Spirit has the power and authority to execute the terms and conditions of the last will and testament. What, wait, there are terms and conditions? Well yes, because Jesus Christ is God and perfect in performance, His estate planning thinks of everything. See this in a worldly sense, would it be sensible to leave a six million dollar home to a son who could not pay the taxes on the property?

Beneficiaries have a fiduciary responsibility to the estate to be good stewards to that which is bequeathed to them. The executor has the power to oversee and intercede on the behalf of the estate to bring stewards into compliance.

Perhaps that would be better understood in viewing the promises themselves. In this, because we named one in the opening of this series, let us address this one first. The remission of sins as identified in Matthew 26:28.