TDR: 24 March (Luke 7:48)

‘Your sins are forgiven’ (Luke 7:48)

Whose sins? Yours, if you believe in Jesus. The prophet’s witness is that through His name WHOSOEVER believes in Him will receive the forgiveness of sins. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive all our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God pardons, for Christ’s sake, everyone who believes, confesses, and renounces sin. He therefore proves Himself ready to forgive, plenteous in mercy, and full of compassion to all who call on Him. He never refuses to pardon, nor shows the least reluctance. Nor should we doubt for one moment, especially as His word is so plain, His grace is so great and His mercy so free. His faithfulness is also so clearly proven.

What then do we want? Only faith to believe God’s word, that being believers in Jesus and having confessed sin at His throne, and prayed for pardon in Christ’s name, all our sins are forgiven. And this is necessary, for we can mortify sin, live above the world, rejoice in God, and honour the gospel, as we believe these sweet words of Jesus, “Your sins are forgiven you”.

 

 How high a privilege ’tis to know
Our sins are all forgiven!
To bear about this pledge below,
This special grant of heaven!
O Lord, this privilege bestow,
To cheer ME while I dwell below.

 THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘Since I last wrote, the Lord has visited me with indisposition of body for a week, and I was obliged to give up one of my Lord’s Day services. While my body was suffering my mind was unusually dark, uncomfortable and gloomy; yet I had no doubts, fears or misgivings. My confidence was firm, though my comfort was entirely gone. I was at times peevish, fretful, and dissatisfied; and felt unfit for any company. What a mercy that our frames and feelings do not alter our state, nor effect our safety!’