The Forgiveness of Sins
The forgiveness of sins is a complete and everlasting blessing that restores us to the love of God and gives us access to all of God's love.
The preacher delves into the meaning of 'Blameless' (amemptos) in the Bible, emphasizing the concept of being irreproachable and faultless before God and man. This term is used to describe individuals who live lives of purity and righteousness, free from legitimate accusations. The desire is for believers to stand blameless before the Lord, both externally and internally, when He returns to judge. Examples like Zacharias, Job, and Abram illustrate what it means to be blameless in the sight of God.
Text
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" Psalm 32:1.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul....who forgiveth all thine iniquities" Psalm 103:2,3.
In connection with surrender to the Lord, it was said that the first great blessing of the grace of God was this--the free, complete, everlasting forgiveness of all your sins. For the young Christian, it is of great importance that he should stand firm in this forgiveness of his sins. He should always carry the certainty of it about with him. For this reason, he must especially consider the following truths.
The forgiveness of our sin is a complete forgiveness.1 God does not partially forgive. Even with man, we believe that half forgiveness is not true forgiveness. The love of God is so great, and the atonement in the blood of Jesus so complete and powerful, that God always forgives completely. Take time with God's Word so that you may fully understand that your guilt has been blotted out completely. God absolutely thinks no more about your sins. "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." 2
The forgiveness of our sin restores us entirely again to the love of God.3 Not only does God no longer attribute us with sin, but He also restores us to the righteousness of Jesus--for His sake we are as dear to God as He is. Not only is wrath turned away from us, but the fullness of love now rests upon us. "I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him" (Hoses 14:4). Forgiveness is the access to all of God's love. On this account, forgiveness is also an introduction to all the other blessings of redemption.
Live in the full assurance of forgiveness, and let the Spirit fill your heart with the certainty and the blessedness of it. Then you will have great confidence in expecting all from God. Learn from the Word of God--through the Spirit-to know God correctly, and to trust Him as the ever-forgiving God. That is His name and His glory. To one to whom much, yes, all is forgiven, He will also give much. He will give a11.4 Therefore, let it be your joyful thanksgiving every day. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, who forgiveth all thine iniquities." Then forgiveness becomes the power of a new life. "Her sins which are many, are forgiven: for she loved much" (Luke 7:47). The forgiveness of sins, received in living faith every day, is a bond which binds you to Jesus and His service.5
Then, the forgiveness of former sins supplies the courage to immediately confess every new sin and to trustfully receive forgiveness.6 Look, however, to one thing-the certainty of forgiveness must not be a matter of memory or understanding, but must be the fruit of life. It must be our living relationship with the forgiving Father and with Jesus in whom we have forgiveness.7 It is not enough to know that I once received forgiveness. My life in the love of God, my living communion with Jesus by faith--this makes the forgiveness of sin again always new and powerful. It is the joy and the life of my soul.
Lord God, this is the wonder of Your grace--that You are a forgiving God. Teach me every day to know in this the glory of Your love. Let the Holy Spirit seal forgiveness to me as a blessing, everlasting, ever fresh, living, and powerful. And let my life be like a song of thanksgiving. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, who forgiveth all thine iniquities." Amen.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Forgiveness
- A. The first great blessing of God's grace is the forgiveness of all sins
- B. The young Christian must stand firm in this forgiveness
- II. The Nature of Forgiveness
- A. Forgiveness is complete and everlasting
- B. God does not partially forgive
- C. The atonement in the blood of Jesus makes forgiveness possible
- III. The Effects of Forgiveness
- A. Forgiveness restores us to the love of God
- B. Forgiveness gives us access to all of God's love
- IV. Living in Forgiveness
- A. Live in the full assurance of forgiveness
- B. Let the Spirit fill your heart with the certainty and blessedness of forgiveness
- V. The Power of Forgiveness
- A. Forgiveness becomes the power of a new life
- B. Forgiveness binds us to Jesus and His service
Key Quotes
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, who forgiveth all thine iniquities” — Andrew Murray
“Her sins which are many, are forgiven: for she loved much” — Andrew Murray
“I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” — Andrew Murray
Application Points
- We must stand firm in the forgiveness of our sins and always carry the certainty of it with us.
- Living in the full assurance of forgiveness gives us great confidence in expecting all from God.
- The forgiveness of sins received in living faith every day is a bond that binds us to Jesus and His service.