p. 371 | FOR IT IS GREAT

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 24, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 24.

“FOR IT IS GREAT.”

THAT is a strange reason which David urges in the twenty-fifth psalm, “O Lord, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.” Men who apply for pardon usually plead that they are innocent, or that their guilt is less than it has been represented. But this pleader seems to consider the enormity of his offenses a reason why he should be forgiven. And he is right. God says, “Repent, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Now repentance means a true and full confession of guilt, and every such confession must be in the spirit of that of the psalmist; for every sin is great in the sight of God. All iniquity is rebellion against him, is high treason, and deserves eternal death.

There is a great Saviour provided for great sinners. There is no second-rate Saviour for little sinners—for those who do not realize the enormity of their departure from God. It is only when we can say, “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint” (Isa. 1:5), that we are ready for the grand proclamation, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isa. 1:18.—Interior.