Forgiveness 3b
“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 Two
Besides this, it is a TRIED forgiveness. Thousands and tens of thousands have sought pardon at the mercy-seat of Christ and not one has ever returned to say that he sought in vain. Sinners of every name and nation— sinners of every sort and description— have knocked at the door of the fold, and none have ever been refused admission. Zacchaeus the extortioner, Magdalen the harlot, Saul the persecutor, Peter the denier of his Lord, the Jews who crucified the Prince of Life, the idolatrous Athenians, the adulterous Corinthians, the ignorant Africans, the bloodthirsty New Zealanders, all have ventured their souls on Christ’s promises of pardon— and none have ever found them to fail. If the way which the Gospel sets before us were a new and untraveled way— we might well feel faint-hearted. But it is not so. It is an old path. It is a path worn by the feet of many pilgrims, and a path in which the footsteps are all one way. The treasury of Christ’s mercies has never been found empty. The well of living waters has never proved dry.
Besides this, it is a PRESENT forgiveness. All who believe in Jesus are at once justified from all things (Acts 13:39). The very day the younger son returned to his father’s house he was clothed with the best robe, had the ring put on his hand, and the shoes on his feet (Luke 15). The very day Zacchaeus received Jesus he heard those comfortable words, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9). The very day that David said, “I have sinned against the LORD,” he was told by Nathan, “The LORD also has put away your sin” (2 Samuel 12:13). The very day you first flee to Christ, your sins are all removed. Your pardon is not a thing far away, to be obtained only after many years. It is near at hand. It is close to you, within your reach, all ready to be bestowed. Believe, and that very moment it is your own. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned” (John 3:18). It is not said, “He shall not be,” or “will not be,” but “is not.” From the time of his believing, condemnation is gone. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36). It is not said, “He shall have,” or “will have,” it is “has.” It is his own as surely as if he was in heaven, although it is not as evident to his own eyes. You must not think forgiveness will be nearer to a believer in the day of judgment than it was in the hour he first believed. His complete salvation from the power of sin is every year nearer and nearer to him; but as to his forgiveness and justification, and deliverance from the guilt of sin, it is a finished work from the very minute he first commits himself to Christ.
Last, and best of all, it is an EVERLASTING forgiveness. It is not like Shimei’s pardon— a pardon that may be revoked at any time and taken away (1 Kings 2:9). Once justified, you are justified forever. Once written down in the book of life, your name shall never be blotted out. The sins of God’s children are said to be cast into the depths of the sea— to be sought for and not found— to be remembered no more— to be cast behind God’s back (Micah 7:19; Jeremiah 50:20; 31:34; Isaiah 38:17). Some people fancy they may be justified one year and condemned another— children of adoption at one time, and strangers by and by— heirs of the kingdom in the beginning of their days, and yet servants of the devil in their end. I cannot find this in the Bible— as the New Zealander told the Romish priest, “I do not see it in the Book.” It seems to me to overturn the good news of the Gospel altogether, and to tear up its comforts by the roots. I believe the salvation Jesus offers is an everlasting salvation, and a pardon once sealed with His blood shall never be reversed.
I have set before you the nature of the forgiveness offered to you. I have told you only a little bit about it, for my words are weaker than my will. More than half of it remains untold. The greatness of it is far more than any report of mine. But I think I have said enough to show you it is worth seeking after, and I can wish you nothing better than that you may strive to make it your own.
Do you call it nothing to look forward to death without fear, and to judgment without doubts, and to eternity without a sinking heart? Do you call it nothing to feel the world slipping from your grasp, and to see the grave getting ready for you, and the valley of the shadow of death opening before your eyes, and yet to be not afraid? Do you call it nothing to be able to think of the great day of account, the throne, the books, the Judge, the assembled worlds, the revealing of secrets, the final sentence, and yet to feel, “I am safe”? This is the portion, and this the privilege of a forgiven soul.
Such a person is on a Rock. When the rain of God’s wrath descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow, his feet shall not slide, and his habitation shall be sure.
Such a person is in an Ark. When the last fiery deluge is sweeping over all things on the surface of the earth, it shall not come near him. He will be caught up and lifted securely above it all.
Such a person is in a Hiding Place. When God arises to judge, and people are calling to rocks and mountains to fall upon them and cover them, the Everlasting Arms will be thrown around him, and the storm shall pass over his head. He shall “abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).
Such a person is in a City of Refuge. The accuser of the brethren can lay no charge against him. The law cannot condemn him. There is a wall between him and the avenger of blood. The enemies of his soul cannot hurt him. He is in a secure sanctuary.
Such a person is rich. He has treasure in heaven, which cannot be affected by worldly changes, compared to which Peru and California are nothing at all. He need not envy the richest merchants and bankers. He has a portion that will endure when banknotes and dollars are worthless things. He can say, like the Spanish ambassador, when shown the treasury at Venice, “My Master’s treasury has no bottom.” He has Christ.
Such a person is insured. He is ready for anything that may happen. Nothing can harm him. Banks may break and governments may be overturned. Famine and pestilence may rage around him. Sickness and sorrow may visit his own fireside. But still, he is ready for all— ready for health— ready for disease— ready for tears— ready for joy— ready for poverty— ready for plenty— ready for life, ready for death. He has Christ. He is a pardoned soul. “Blessed,” indeed, “is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1).
How will anyone escape if he neglects so great salvation? Why should you not lay hold on it at once, and say, “Pardon me, even me also, O my Savior!” What would you have, if the way I have set before you does not satisfy you? Come while the door is open. Ask, and you shall receive.
[“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.]
