This is a sad expression by itself. It speaks of the end of life down here, as in Psa. 39:1313O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. (Psalm 39:13); or it sets forth the termination of things in this world, as for instance when we say we have no more means, or no more opportunity, or no more strength; but it is a very blessed expression when used in connection with three great realities set forth in the blessed word of God.
1. No more offering for sin.
2. No more remembrance of sins.
3. No more conscience of sins.
Let us observe in the first place how it is said that the remission of sins proves that there is no more offering for sin.
That is, the full and blessed efficacy of the one offering of our Lord Jesus Christ is clearly set forth and manifested in its not being repeated, it was once, because all was accomplished by it. Now under the law the sacrifices were many and often. Why? Because they were not effectual for the taking away of sins. Each fresh sacrifice proved that those which had been previously offered, were ineffectual. The truth is that in those sacrifices and under the law, sins were brought to remem- brance, not put away. By Christ’s one offering there is full remission and forgiveness of sins. Is not this abundant comfort to all who simply trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice it was? Reader, are you trusting in Him? Have you any other hope? May God open the eyes of all who read this paper, to see what sure and perfect ground the atoning death of God’s dear Son supplies to every sinner who simply trusts in Him.
Second. But next it is said in virtue of this sacrifice God will remember the sins and iniquities of His people no more. He did remember all their sins and iniquities to Jesus on the cross, where He, the spotless One, was their Substitute. It was not they who laid their sins on Jesus; it was God—that God who knew them all, against whom, too, they had been committed; He it was who laid them all on His spotless Lamb, the Substitute of His people.
Hence it is that in righteousness God can now say, He will no more remember His people’s sins. Christ on the cross “made sin,” and bearing God’s righteous judgment due to sin and against sin, has so perfectly glorified God about sin, and so entirely and fully exhausted all the holy judgment of God due to sin, and so fully borne His people’s sins in His own body on the tree, that God can say as in this precious verse: “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
Third. Now the word of God declares that for those who have their sins forgiven there is “no more conscience of sins”—observe well, the scripture does not say, “no more consciousness of sin,” but no more conscience of sins; and the difference is solemn and very important; if it had been no more consciousness of sin, the scripture would have then stated that the Christian is to be without the consciousness of indwelling sin, which it never does state, but the opposite; thus there is no ground whatever for the many delusions abroad on this subject. What God does say in His word is, that the purged worshiper has “no more conscience of sins”; that is, the conscience of such an one is uncondemning in the presence of God, in virtue of the eternal value of Christ’s precious blood shed.
How blessed, then, to be rejoicing in no more offering for sin—no more remembrance of sins—no more conscience of sins.