WHO are the persons about whom this wonderful statement is made, and written in the Word of eternal truth? Will my reader be at any loss to say of whom it is written, and about whom it is blessedly true? Blessed be God, there are thousands we know to whom these words refer, and about whom they were spoken.
Let us thank the Lord for it, that there is a class of persons now on the earth, engaged in every kind of toil from day to day, who come within the range of this precious word. It is true that sins and iniquities abound on every hand, yea, they not only abound, but their number is rapidly on the increase. Man is waxing worse and worse. Advantages and opportunities for good are numerous; Bibles and societies are increased greatly, and many other efforts are put forth with much vigor, but still the flood of sin is on the rise. On the right hand, on the left hand, almost wherever the eye of man―who knows God—turns, sin is rampant.
And how can it be otherwise while man is seeking to be his own saviour. I consider that man, by his vain attempts to better his condition as to the question of sin, is only putting off farther and farther the salvation of his own soul, and not only so, but he is rejecting the Saviour that God Himself has provided.
Man, unconcerned and quiet about his soul, and about eternity, as though he had no soul, is a very common thing. Yea, we see man trifling with his immortal soul as though it was of no value whatever.
What a painful state to be in. Can you, reader, say that such a case is not yours? Can you say that your sins and iniquities will be remembered no more? I am not now asking you about some other person or circumstance, but I am asking you a proper, reasonable, and kindly meant question. Can you say, or do you believe, that God will remember your sins and iniquities no more? I do not press you for an audible reply, or a hasty one, but I do beg you to make a truthful one. It must be either the one or the other. If you have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and are now sheltered by His blood, then I can tell you, on the authority of God’s word, that your sins will be remembered no more; because the blood of Christ cleanseth from ALL sin, therefore it can cleanse you. And to know that our sins and iniquities are all gone, washed away by the blood of Christ, is far, far better than a thousand worlds with all their riches and honors.
But, perhaps, my friend, you are not able―because it is not true―to say that “my sins and iniquities are all gone!” Indeed, then, your case is a deeply solemn one, solemn beyond all computation. If they are NOT gone, they are all, every one, still upon you; and if you keep them upon you, by refusing Christ as your Saviour, then your case will be a very sad one! And let me press this point a little more upon your conscience, not to do you the least unkindness, or to give you one single pain, but that which will be for the soul’s good. Sins and iniquities are not to be trifled with; God does no deal with them as though He considered them of small importance. God cannot love sin, but He can and does love the poor sinner, and He Himself has provided a real Saviour for the sinner; any sinner, the worst of sinners He can save. Tell me, reader, what could be needed more than this to save lost sinners. All power dwells in God!
What I mean by a lost sinner, is a man that is not saved, and such an one, God’s word says, is lost. I am well aware that there is another cense in which the word lost may be used, viz., that man who died in his sins without a Saviour is lost, and nothing can save him now; but, blessed be God, this is not the way in which the lost can be applied to you―at least, not yet. These lines tell you of a Saviour, and of a salvation by this Saviour. Certainly the man that has died without a Saviour is lost, and lost forever. Yes, my reader, and let me tell you that his sins and iniquities WILL BE remembered, and he will eternally feel the pangs of rejecting and refusing Christ.
Can your tongue, or that of my tongue describe, what such a soul will have to endure through eternity? That is far, far beyond the power of man to portray.
Let us return for a moment to the state of standing described by the Spirit of God in the words at the head of these bines. And let me assure you that such language applies to many a man you and I see daily; yes, and generally those upon whom the world looks with marked coolness, if nothing more. Well, what a mercy it is that the Lord does not so look upon those who are His. He looks on with deep interest and delight, and says of them, “their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Is not this a great thing? Yes, great indeed!
What is your hope, Reader?