Forgiveness with God

“There is forgiveness with thee” (Ps. 130:4).

I. Man Stands in Need of Forgiveness.

He is guilty; without plea; without the means of reparation or satisfaction. This is true of all men. “All have sinned,” etc. All are condemned; and without forgiveness, all must perish.

II. God Only Can Forgive.

He is our lawgiver. His authority we have contemned. Rebels to Him. Enemies to Him. None can dispense life or death but Himself. Human forgiveness would avail nothing. “Who can forgive sins, but God only?” (Mark 2:7). “There is forgiveness with thee” (Micah 7:18).

III. God Provides for the Forgiveness of Sin.

By the appointment of His only Son, as a sacrifice for sin. Punished sin to the utmost, in the person of the surety. Laid our sins upon Him (Isa. 53:6). He bare them; and died, that we might have a full remission of them (Acts 5:31; 13:38; Eph. 1:7; Luke 24:47).

IV. God Has Revealed the Only Way of Forgiveness.

By repentance toward Himself, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19–21; 10:43; Rom. 2:26; 10:8–13; Isa. 55:7).

V. God Desires and Is Ever Ready to Forgive.

Hence He exhorts, invites, expostulates, forbears; and it is only when forgiving love is totally and finally rejected, that He executes His displeasure upon the ungodly. He is ready to forgive sin, however deep the stains—however enormous—however aggravated—however long-continued. He is ready to forgive all sin, and every sinner (Col. 2:13; Eph. 2:3–19). Manasseh. Publican. Dying thief. Jerusalem sinners. Saul of Tarsus. Corinthians, etc. (see Matt. 12:31).

VI. There Is Forgiveness with God Now.

He is now ready to forgive. “Behold, now is the accepted time,” etc. How desirable and important, that we should rightly estimate, and fervently seek, His forgiveness, before sin proves our ruin. “Kiss the Son,” etc. “Agree with thine adversary quickly,” etc.

Jabez Burns

Burns, J. (1992). Forgivenes with God. In A. Bryant (Ed.), Sermon outlines on the attributes of God (p. 19). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.