Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

November 27– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

—Ephesians 1:7

Could there be a sweeter word in any language than the word “forgiveness?” When it is heard in a guilty sinner’s ear, it is like the trumpets announcing the year of jubilee to those who were enslaved in Israel. Blessed forever is that dear star of pardon which shines into the condemned sinner’s cell and gives the one who is destined to die a gleam of hope in the midnight of despair!

Can it be possible that my sins can be forgiven, forgiven altogether and forever? As a sinner, Hell is where I deserve to be, and there is no possibility of my escaping from it while sin remains upon me. Can the load of my guilt truly be lifted? Can the blood-red stains be removed? Can the inescapable stones of my prison-house ever be removed or the doors lifted from their hinges?

But Jesus tells me that I can be cleared from my charges. Forever blessed be the revelation of atoning love which not only tells me that pardon is possible but that it has been secured for all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in that atoning sacrifice—in the crucified Jesus—and, therefore, my sins are at this moment and forever forgiven by virtue of his death as my substitute.

How joyful I am to be pardoned! My soul belongs to him. Such free forgiveness puts the riches of his grace on display! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive forever! Here is a constellation of wonders! When I think of how great my sins were, how costly were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, and how gracious was the method by which my pardon was secured, I am lost in wondering, worshipping affection. I bow before the throne which absolves me; I cling to the cross which delivers me; I serve all my days the Incarnate God who has made me tonight a pardoned soul. [M&E]