A kind-hearted doctor had a worthy custom as he went through his books occasionally and saw that certain debts were not paid, of considering the circumstances of the debtor.
Where he knew that only inability to pay was the cause of the default, he would put a red pen mark through the entry and write by the side of it, "FORGIVEN—UNABLE TO PAY."
In the process of time the doctor died. After his death, his wife, in looking over the books, found a number of unpaid amounts with this notation. She thought, "My husband has forgiven a lot of people, and at present I could use this money." So she began to take action in the courts to collect the money.
When the cases came into court, the judge asked, "How do you know that the money is owing?"
The widow replied, "I have it in my husband's book," and she handed it to the judge.
"Oh, yes! Is this your husband's handwriting?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"Then," said the judge, "no court in the world will give you a verdict against these people, when your husband, with his own pen has written, 'FORGIVEN, UNABLE TO PAY!' "
We are reminded of the parable spoken by the Lord in the home of Simon the Pharisee. Read the story in Luke 7:36-50, and notice the words of our Lord in verse 42, "And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both."
And so it is. We are all bankrupt sinners, unable to pay, but God, the God we have sinned against, is saying today, when the sinner will own his sinfulness, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:18.
Are your sins forgiven? If not, why not?
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.