Forgiveness of Sin by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 12, 1906

Forgiveness of Sin

By J. S. Washburn

J. S. WASHBURN

THERE is one channel which we must keep open between us and God, or we cut ourselves off from the base of supplies. The Scripture says, “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it can not save; neither his ear heavy, that it can not hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isa. 59: 1, 2.

Our sins alone can come between us and God. Neither the sins nor the evil influence of any other man can separate us from God. Satan may seek to come between us, and throw his hellish shadow over us, hiding from our eyes the light of Jesus' countenance that has shone upon us, and for a time we may be in heaviness, in tribulation, and our way may seem clouded; but if we trust on through the darkness, there will come seasons of clear shining after the rain. He who is faithful through trial, even in the trial, may have the consciousness that his record is clear, that his sins are forgiven. Nothing else—no memory of good and great deeds accomplished—will comfort and strengthen us in the hour of peril, in the moment of anguish, in the instant of crisis and fear, as the one thought, My sins are forgiven, my record is clear.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1: 9. Then, indeed, whether we are tossed on the sea, whether our craft is sinking, whether we are dying of some dread disease, or struck down by a cruel enemy—whatever the danger, we may have perfect peace.

There came a time in the experience of a certain individual when he fully expected to die. He looked for nothing else. All of this world and those whom he loved were slipping from his grasp. He stood alone before the great white throne,—stood, not upon land, but out in clear, empty space. There was with him none to help or to speak a word of favor for him. The eyes of all men and of angels were upon him, and upon the great white throne sat the Judge of all the universe. How solemn was the piercing gaze of him who reads at a glance every secret of the life! But in that awful, that solemn hour, in that vision of the moment when he must give an account to God for the deeds done in the body, he stood, thank God, without fear, trusting not in any works of righteousness, although he had been a minister of the gospel for years, but in the mercy and in the forgiveness of him who said, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out;” and he said, “Dear Father, in thy mercy, in thy forgiveness, I trust, I rest, I hope. On that I rely without fear, in the perfect confidence and assurance, not of my goodness, but of thy love, and of thy blessed forgiveness.”

Forgiveness! O the power, the hope, that is in that word! There is no other way for us to reach heaven. That channel must be kept clear. Whatever we may be doing or have been doing or expect to do, whatever our plans or purposes, however high and noble they may be, one channel must be kept clear—my sins have been forgiven, and as often as I have committed sins, I have confessed them, and they are forgiven, each one, all. And the light shines in my soul because of this one thing—he forgives even now and saves to the uttermost those who come unto God through Jesus Christ the Saviour.

Have your sins been forgiven, and then have you permitted, since that glad day, other sins to come between you and God, and to block the channel? If so, confess them and forsake them, and receive forgiveness.

Forgiveness! Have you, dear reader, received it this day? Every night and every morning let us make sure that every sin is forgiven. Let us keep the channel open, and we may shine as lights in the world, and in his heavenly kingdom as the stars and sun.

Takoma Park, D. C.