Forgiven

The blessing of forgiveness from God is beyond description. I was touched this morning by a devotional about this from Spurgeon's writings, part of which I quote here:

Can 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?...For ever 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 for ever, 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 forgivenss exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, is to forgive freely, to forgive for ever! 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.

                                                                                                            -Charles H. Spurgeon

"And He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven."

(Luke 7:48)