Forgiveness 3a
“FORGIVENESS”
written by J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
edited in modern English by J.J. Cardwell (1960- )
“Because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.”—1 John 2:12
III. Let me, in the third place, encourage all who wish to be forgiven. —Part One
I dare be sure this paper will be read by someone who feels he is not yet a forgiven soul. My heart’s desire and prayer is that such a one may seek his pardon at once; and I would gladly help him forward, by showing him the kind of forgiveness offered to him, and the glorious privileges within his reach.
Listen to me, then, while I try to show you the treasures of Gospel forgiveness. I cannot describe its fullness in the way I should. Its riches are indeed unsearchable (Ephesians 3:8). Nevertheless, if you will turn away from it, you will not be able to say in the Day of Judgment that you did not know what it was at all.
Consider, then, for one thing, that the forgiveness set before you is a GREAT and BROAD forgiveness. Hear what the Prince of Peace Himself declares, “All sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter” (Mark 3:28). “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool“ (Isaiah 1:18). Yes— though your trespasses be more in number than the hairs of your head, the stars in heaven, the leaves of the forest, the blades of grass, the grains of sand on the sea shore— still they can all be pardoned! As the waters of Noah’s flood covered over and hid the tops of the highest hills, so can the blood of Jesus cover over and hide your most hideous sins. “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses… from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Though to you they seem written with the point of a diamond, they can all be wiped out from the book of God’s remembrance by that precious blood. Paul names a long list of abominations, which the Corinthians had committed, and then says, “Such were some of you. But you were washed” (1 Corinthians 6:11).
Furthermore, it is a FULL and COMPLETE forgiveness. It is not like David’s pardon to Absalom, a permission to return home— but not a full restoration to favor (2 Samuel 14:24). It is not, as some imagine, a mere letting off, and letting alone. It is a pardon so complete that he who has it is reckoned as righteous as if he had never sinned at all! His iniquities are blotted out. They are removed from him as far as the east from the west (Psalm 103:12). There remains no condemnation for him. The Father sees him joined to Christ, and is well pleased. The Son beholds him clothed with His own righteousness, and says, “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you” (Song of Solomon 4:7). Blessed be God that it is so! I verily believe if the best of us all had only one blot left for himself to wipe out, he would miss eternal life. If the holiest child of Adam were in heaven all but his little finger, and to enter depended on himself, I am sure he would never go into the kingdom. If Noah, Daniel, and Job, had had but one day’s sins to wash away, they would never have been saved. Praised be God, that in the matter of our pardon there is nothing left for man to do! Jesus does all, and man has only to hold out an empty hand and to receive.
Furthermore, it is a FREE and UNCONDITIONAL forgiveness. It is not burdened with an “if,” like Solomon’s pardon to Adonijah, “If he will show himself a worthy man” (1 Kings 1:52). Nor yet are you obliged to carry a price in your hand, or to bring an upright character with you to prove yourself deserving of mercy. Jesus requires only one character, and that is that you should feel yourself a sinful, bad man. He invites you to “buy wine and milk without money and without price,” and declares, “let the one who desires take the water of life without price“ (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17). Like David in the cave of Adullam, He receives everyone that feels in distress and a debtor, and rejects none (1 Samuel 22:2). Are you a sinner? Do you need a Savior? Then come to Jesus just as you are, and your soul shall live.
Again, it is an OFFERED forgiveness. I have read of earthly kings who did not know how to show mercy. The King of kings is not like them. He calls on people to come to Him, and be pardoned. “To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the children of man” (Proverbs 8:4). “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters” (Isaiah 55:1). “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37). “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). It should be a great comfort to you and me to hear of any pardon at all; but to hear Jesus Himself inviting us, to see Jesus Himself holding out His hand to us— the Savior seeking the sinner before the sinner seeks the Savior— this is encouragement. This is strong consolation indeed!
Again, it is a WILLING forgiveness. I have heard of pardons granted in reply to long entreaty, and wrung out by much importunity. King Edward III of England would not spare the citizens of Calais until they came to him with halters around their necks, and his own Queen interceded for them on her knees. Yet, Jesus is “good, and ready to forgive” (Psalm 86:5, KJV). He “delighteth in mercy” (Micah 7:18, KJV). Judgment is “his strange act” (Isaiah 28:21). He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). He would gladly have all men saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). He wept over unbelieving Jerusalem. “As I live,” He says, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked… turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die?” (Ezekiel 33:11). You and I may well come boldly to the throne of grace. He who sits there is far more willing and ready to give mercy than we are to receive it (Hebrews 4:16).
[“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright ©2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. The King James Version is in the Public Domain.]
