He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob
William MacDonald explains that God, seeing believers 'in Christ,' finds no sin in them and accepts them fully on the basis of Christ's righteousness.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the profound truth that God sees no sin in His people because they are 'in Christ.' Using the prophecy of Balaam and a vivid illustration, he explains how believers are accepted fully by God through the righteousness of Jesus. MacDonald encourages believers to live in the confidence and assurance of their perfect standing before God, grounded not in their own merit but in Christ’s spotless righteousness.
Text
“He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel.” (Num. 23:21)
The hireling prophet, Balaam, spoke a remarkable truth when he said that the all-seeing God could not see sin in His people, Israel. What was true of Israel then is wonderfully true of the believer today. As God looks upon him, He cannot find a single sin for which to punish him with eternal death. The believer is “in Christ”. That means that he stands before God in all the perfection and worthiness of Christ. God accepts him in all the acceptability of His own beloved Son. It is a position of favor that cannot be improved on and that will never end. Search as He may, God cannot find any charge against the one who is in Christ.
This is illustrated by an incident involving an Englishman and his Rolls Royce. He was touring France on his vacation when the rear axle broke. The local garage could not replace the axle, so they phoned to England. The company sent not only a rear axle, but two mechanics to see that it was properly installed. The Englishman continued on his trip, then returned to England, expecting to receive the bill. When months passed and no bill arrived, he wrote to the company, described the entire incident and asked for the bill. Shortly afterwards, he received a letter from the company saying, “We have searched our records carefully and can find no record of a Rolls Royce ever having had a broken rear axle.”
God can search His records carefully and can find no record of any sin on a believer’s account that would condemn him to hell. The believer is accepted in the Beloved One. He is complete in Christ. He is clothed in all the righteousness of God. He has an absolutely perfect standing before God. He can say with triumph and confidence:
Reach my blest Savior first;
Take Him from God’s esteem;
Prove Jesus bears one spot of sin,
Then tell me I’m unclean.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Balaam’s prophecy about God not seeing iniquity in Israel
- The significance of God’s perspective on His people
- Application to believers today
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II
- The believer’s position 'in Christ' and its implications
- The perfect acceptance of the believer before God
- The impossibility of God finding sin to condemn
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III
- Illustration of the Englishman and his Rolls Royce
- God’s record shows no sin against the believer
- The believer’s complete righteousness and standing
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IV
- The believer’s confidence and triumph in Christ
- The call to trust fully in Jesus’ spotless righteousness
- Living in the assurance of God’s favor
Key Quotes
“God can search His records carefully and can find no record of any sin on a believer’s account that would condemn him to hell.” — William MacDonald
“The believer is accepted in the Beloved One. He is complete in Christ. He is clothed in all the righteousness of God.” — William MacDonald
“Search as He may, God cannot find any charge against the one who is in Christ.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Trust fully in Christ’s righteousness rather than your own efforts for acceptance before God.
- Live confidently knowing God sees you as righteous and without sin because you are in Christ.
- Remember that your standing before God is secure, which should motivate holy and joyful living.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God does not see iniquity in Jacob?
It means that God, looking at His people through Christ, does not find sin in them to punish, as they are accepted on the basis of Christ’s righteousness.
How can believers be free from condemnation despite their sins?
Believers are 'in Christ,' meaning their sins are covered by His perfect righteousness, so God does not hold their sins against them.
What is the significance of the Rolls Royce illustration?
It illustrates how God’s records show no sin against believers, just as the company found no record of damage to the car, emphasizing the completeness of God’s acceptance.
How should this truth affect a believer’s daily life?
Believers can live confidently and joyfully, knowing their standing before God is secure and based on Christ’s perfection, not their own works.
Is this teaching about sinlessness or positional righteousness?
It teaches positional righteousness—believers are declared righteous before God because of Christ, not because they are sinless in practice.