Evening, November 27
Go To Morning Reading
“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, forever 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 forever? 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. Forever 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 forever, 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 forever! 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.