Spurgeon: November PM
* 11/27/PM
"The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."
--Ephesians 1:7
Could there be a sweeter word in any language than that word
"forgiveness," when it sounds in a guilty sinner's ear, like the
silver notes of jubilee to the captive Israelite? Blessed, for
ever blessed be that dear star of pardon which shines into the
condemned cell, and gives the perishing a gleam of hope amid the
midnight of despair! Can it be possible that sin, such sin as
mine, can be forgiven, forgiven altogether, and for ever? Hell
is my portion as a sinner--there is no possibility of my
escaping from it while sin remains upon me--can the load of
guilt be uplifted, the crimson stain removed? Can the adamantine
stones of my prison-house ever be loosed from their mortices, or
the doors be lifted from their hinges? Jesus tells me that I may
yet be clear. For ever blessed be the revelation of atoning love
which not only tells me that pardon is possible, but that it is
secured to all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in the
appointed propitiation, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my
sins are at this moment, and for ever, forgiven by virtue of His
substitutionary pains and death. What joy is this! What bliss to
be a perfectly pardoned soul! My soul dedicates all her powers
to Him who of His own unpurchased love became my surety, and
wrought out for me redemption through His blood. What riches of
grace does free forgiveness exhibit! To forgive at all, to
forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive for ever! Here is a
constellation of wonders; and when I think of how great my sins
were, how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from
them, and how gracious was the method by which pardon was sealed
home to me, I am in a maze of wondering worshipping affection.
I bow before the throne which absolves me, I clasp the cross
which delivers me, I serve henceforth all my days the Incarnate
God, through whom I am this night a pardoned soul.