In considering the question of the forgiveness of sins it is important to first see the real basis for it. If I get God’s forgiveness I must get it in God’s way. Now, it is plain in Scripture that God links our forgiveness with the redemption value of the blood of Christ. “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)).
Two great mistakes on this point seem to be common today. One, that we shall secure forgiveness if we beg hard enough and long enough to induce God to give it us. The other, that we shall be made sure that it is ours through certain inward emotions. The truth is,
1. That it is secured for us by the blood of Christ.
2. It is received by faith.
3. That it is assured to us by the Word of God.
Not that any sober-minded Christian could be other than glad to hear a cry for mercy from the heart and lips of a convicted sinner. But it is not the less important for an anxious soul to see that it is not by his tears and cries that forgiveness is secured, but by the blood of Christ, and by His blood alone. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:2222And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22)). Nor, on the other hand, could we help rejoicing to see a forgiven sinner’s heart overflowing with “a joy too deep for words.” But we would remind him that he must have, for the settled assurance of forgiveness, something more solid to rest upon than the deepest feelings joy can give. How many thousands have already found this out to their sorrow. While the joy and freshness of first love lasts they feel secure; but as they learn more about their own wickedness their joy decreases, and they are left stranded in dark uncertainty.
We must learn to link our forgiveness with the price which secured it. What solid rest it would give a poor debtor, if he had not only seen the account settled in his creditor’s office, but the very $100 bill, which a friend had paid for him, clipped to the page of the ledger where his account was recorded! How boldly he could say, I am clear of my debt, and haven’t been satisfied by installments either; nor, to use a common figure, “let out on bail” until a future reckoning! My account has been cleared off in full, once for all.
The trembling sinner feareth
That God can ne’er forget;
But one full payment cleareth
His memory of all debt.
When naught beside could free us,
Or set our souls at large,
Thy holy work, Lord Jesus,
Secured a full discharge.
This leads to another and very common difficulty.