We give here a quotation by way Jesus for our sins and raised Him up from the dead for our justification? Do not mind feelings at present; but do you really believe God, who has thus acted for the glory of His Son, as also for the eternal good of the sinner? “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Can anything be simpler? Could language be more precise or plain? Confession with the mouth, belief in the heart; and this connected with God. What follows? “Thou shalt be saved.”
The knowledge of the forgiveness of sins is not a matter of attainment; it is simply and only a question of, faith in the simple Word of God.
“Who is a pardoning God like Thee!
Or who has grace so rich, so free?”
Even a babe in Christ can know now, at this present moment of time—while his eye scans these lines—that all his sins are frankly and fully forgiven. God charges His memory to forget them all—for “their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” The Apostle John says, “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.” (1 John 2:1212I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. (1 John 2:12).) He writes down your full acquittal, so that you may read it for yourself, and be in confidence before Him. Paul says, “We have redemption through His blood—the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:1414In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14).) “We have” redemption and forgiveness. Could language be simpler? “We have” surely expresses present possession. Peter says, after preaching a risen and glorified Christ— “Be it known unto you, therefore... that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. And by Him all that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39).) And what is the effect of preaching a present salvation and the knowledge of it—of redemption and forgiveness of sins, as a personal and present possession? Why, it has ever this effect: it fills the soul with peace and joy. Could it be otherwise? (Acts 13:5252And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 13:52).) Can you tell of one who had his sins forgiven, and knew it too from God, and yet was unhappy? Impossible. David (Psa. 32) describes the blessedness of the forgiven man. Paul (Rom. 4) says, “This blessedness cometh upon us—upon all who believe.”
“Thy sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:4848And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. (Luke 7:48), Mark 2:55When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. (Mark 2:5)). Jesus says so. God has pronounced it, and has taken to Himself the character of a pardoning God. Paul, John, Peter, and David concur in one united testimony, namely: the present, full, frank, and eternal forgiveness of all the believer’s sins.
Reader, are thy sins forgiven?