AT what time in the history of our soul! do we receive the forgiveness of sins? The Word of God answers in a very decided manner that it is when the sinner really own in the presence of God his true condition. See Psa. 32, where it is written, “I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and” without a moment’s delay, without any ifs or buts, “Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”
It is deeply important not to confound the time of forgiveness with the channel through which it flows. The next question, therefore, is, How am I forgiven? The Word of God again supplies the sure and reliable reply. Turn to Acts 13:3838Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 13:38), where we read, “Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things.” Notice, not through our repentance, our prayers, hopes, fears, doings, or strivings, but solely through “this Man” whom God raised from the dead, Christ Jesus, who is over all, God blessed forever.
But does my reader ask, “To what extent am I forgiven?” Again let the Bible answer. In Col. 2:1313And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Colossians 2:13), it is distinctly stated that those sinners of the Gentiles in Colosse, “had been forgiven all trespasses.”
The moment of forgiveness, then, is when we own our real need as sinners before God. The alone channel, through which forgiveness flows, is Jesus at the right hand of God. The extent of forgiveness is all, not some, not a part, not our past sins, nor our little sins, but—all. That little word “all” takes in the greatness, the grandeur, the extent of forgiveness.
Now, one scripture as to the ground of forgiveness. This we find in Rom. 3:2525Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25), where it is declared that “God hath set forth a propitiation through faith in His (Christ Jesus’) blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time, His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” This is the ground upon which God can forgive—even the precious blood of the Lamb slain upon Calvary’s cross.
Has my reader taken the place of a guilty sinner? If so, the channel, the fullness, and the extent of forgiveness are all his.
H. N.