The Assurance of God's Forgiveness
S. Conway Psalm 130:4 But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared. The psalmist had this, and his history is recorded for our help - for the help of all those who desire this assurance. I. NOTE TO WHOM THIS BLESSED ASSURANCE IS GIVEN. 1. Not to every one. For many do not care for it - they think there is no need; they persuade themselves that God is easy, and will readily forgive. But this presumption is not God's assurance, for it gives them no settled rest; they have awful misgivings at times. It lasts only so long as their light notions of sin last. When they wake up to the reality of sin, then they are in despair. It awakes no love to God (cf. Luke 7:47); it produces no hatred of sin; if it did, it would lead to that which St. John says, "He that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself even as he is pure." Others there are who will not believe. How hard it is to persuade distressed souls that God does forgive! 2. But this assurance is given to such as are described in this psalm. (1) They have had a very deep sense of sin - have been in "the depths." (2) They have cried earnestly unto the Lord. (3) They confess that God's judgment on sin is righteous, and that their condemnation would be just. (4) They have come to believe that the love of God is deeper than his displeasure with the sinner. And (5) they have cast themselves in utter faith on that love. These are they to whom God's assurance comes. II. THE EVIDENCE ON WHICH IT RESTS. 1. It needs evidence; for conscience is against it; God's love is against it; the testimony of nature and science is against it; earthly governments do not forgive; we ourselves do not thus forgive. Therefore evidence for it is needed. 2. Such evidence is furnished by many fasts. (1) God has spared us thus far - that we are able and at times are willing to forgive those who have wronged us. But if we, then yet more God. (2) Chiefly the plain declarations of God's Word; the sacrifice of Christ; the experience of those that are forgiven, - they feel it in their hearts; they enjoy the peace of God; its influence is all-sanctifying on their own soul, - it binds them over to God. Such is the evidence for, etc. III. THE RESULTS THAT FOLLOW. God will be feared, that is, with the fear which love begets in a dear child. Such fear springs from no other source, but ever from this. - S.C. Parallel Verses KJV: But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. WEB: But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.