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 7:36-5036And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (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. 1:1818Come 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. (Isaiah 1:18).
Are your sins forgiven? If not, why not?