The longer I live as a Christian, and the closer thereby I get to death, the one thing that amazes me more and more is that all of my sins are forgiven!
It is wonderful enough that a holy, righteous, pure God should forgive a sinner one sin, but to forgive all sins seems too wonderful to believe possible, and yet that is exactly what the Bible insists upon.
And we have many references to it in the Psalms and especially in the opening verses of Psalm 32. Let me quote just the first two verses:
Psa 32:1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psa 32:2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
This Psalm was penned by David – a man who certainly knew what it was to sin…and to be forgiven for that sin! But the word I focus on is there in v2 “the LORD counts no iniquity” not “few iniquities” or “less iniquities than he is guilty of” but “no iniquity” – His sin has been forgiven in total!
My friend, how much do you appreciate the significance of that word? Not only the sins that you committed before you were saved (they are certainly forgiven), not just the sins that you committed in ignorance, not just those that you immediately repented and kept from thereafter, but ALL sins – past, present and future.
And that must include those sins which you commit over and again, despite your best efforts to free yourself from. Those you will commit and maybe for some time not repent. Those that you will commit maybe minutes before you die and will have no opportunity to confess before you meet Christ – all forgiven! So that Paul can write Rom 8:1 “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
Without moving into a sermon, what difference should that make to me?
Firstly, I should be filled with thanksgiving and praise to God for what the Father and Jesus Christ have done to make this possible. This was the most expensive purchase this world has ever known. 1Pe 1:18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 1Pe 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Secondly, it should give me a great assurance and confidence in prayer, in witness, and in worship. The barrier of sin has been removed, I stand before the Father on the blood-bought ground of the Son.
And thirdly, it should make me so careful to avoid sinning from now onwards, for it was a horrific price that Christ paid and every sin I commit added to it.
Friend, can you say with Horatio Spafford –
“My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”?