"There Is Forgiveness With
Thee"
Psalm 130:4
Here is the good news of the gospel -
Sinners though we are, deserving of God's eternal wrath, we may yet obtain the
forgiveness of sins! Though the God of heaven is glorious in holiness,
righteousness, justice, and truth, he delights to show mercy. It is the glory
of God to forgive sinners!
This matter of forgiveness is an ABSOLUTE
CERTAINTY. David does not speak with hesitation. He says, "There is
forgiveness." I know that God forgives sin, because it is his nature to do
so. I know that God forgives sin, because all the prophets and ceremonial
sacrifices of the Old Testament proclaimed that he would. I know that God
forgives sin, because he sent his Son into this world to die the Just for the
unjust, that we might receive the remission of sins. I know that there is
forgiveness with God, because he proclaims it in the gospel. And I know that
the God of heaven forgives sin, because he has forgiven my sin!
Not only is the forgiveness of sin certain,
it is also a matter of STRICT JUSTICE. God in his holiness, truth, and justice
cannot simply, arbitrarily pronounce the sinner forgiven. His law must be
satisfied. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die!" Therefore, the Son
of God took upon himself human flesh. Living in perfect obedience to the law of
God, Christ accomplished for us that perfect righteousness which God required
of man. The law was obeyed by our legal Representative. Still our sins had to
be paid for. So our loving Redeemer voluntarily gave himself up into the hands
of the law, to suffer and die as our Substitute. Having endured the utmost
extremity of God's infinite wrath and justice, Christ declared, "It is
finished!" He made an end of sin. He brought in an everlasting righteousness.
He obtained eternal redemption for us! Now God in justice cannot charge those
for whom Christ died with sin. He is faithful and just to forgive us.
And, blessed be God, this forgiveness is
ENTIRELY FREE. We preach to you forgiveness by the blood of Christ. "And
by him all that believe are justified from all things." Faith cannot put
away sin. Only Christ can do that. But faith receives the forgiveness of sin,
trusting the merits of Christ alone. Believe on Christ this day and receive the
forgiveness of sins.
Don Fortner