"Holy David at the beginning of this psalm (Psalm 32) shows us wherein true happiness consists; not in beauty, honour, riches (the world's trinity), but in the forgiveness of sin. 'Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven' (v.1). The Hebrew word 'to forgive' signifies 'to carry out of sight', which agrees well with the words of Jeremiah: 'In those days, saith the Lord, the sins of Judah shall be sought for, and they shall not be found' (Jer. 50:20). This is an incomprehensible blessing, and such as lays a foundation for all other mercies. I shall just glance at it, and lay down these five assertions about it: (1) Forgiveness of sin is an act of God's free grace.
(2) God, in forgiving sin, remits the guilt and penalty.
(3) Forgiveness of sin is through the blood of Christ.
(4) Before sin is forgiven, it must be repented of.
(5) God having forgiven sin, he will no longer call it to remembrance (Jer. 31:34)
(i) How sad it is to lack it!
(ii) How sweet it is to have it!
(2) God, in forgiving sin, remits the guilt and penalty.
(3) Forgiveness of sin is through the blood of Christ.
(4) Before sin is forgiven, it must be repented of.
(5) God having forgiven sin, he will no longer call it to remembrance (Jer. 31:34)
(i) How sad it is to lack it!
(ii) How sweet it is to have it!
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From "The Godly Man's Picture, Drawn with a Scripture Pencil," or "Some Characteristic Marks of a Man who is Going to Heaven," Thomas Watson, 1666 --- Part of the Puritan Paperback Series, The Banner of Truth Trust. My good friend, KC Armstrong (from The Bookstore @ Hunter Street, Birmingham, AL) and I are reading this together between now and July - That's when he and I will next get together at the CBA conference in Atlanta. As you can see, KC, I've already started. And you? :-)
4 comments:
I thought to myself this morning...
"Self, you should begin to read this today so you can get a jump start on Steve." Way to show me up! Obviously, I have some catching up to do!
hehe.
Sorry. I can already tell that this will be a good, yet convicting read. Would anyone else be interested in joining KC and me in reading this together? A Banner reading group, perhaps, sharing comments, etc., via the blog? Hmmmm, interesting thought. Let me know.
Steve, give me a little more heads up next time and I definitely would try to do something like that.
OK, Matthew. I just sort of had the idea, but think it could turn out to be something pretty good, an online readers' group. If you, or anyone else, has any suggestions on how to make it work well, let me know, either here at the blog or email me at steve@banneroftruth.org. Sweet!
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