Forgiveness
Psalm 130:1–8
But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. Psalm 130:4

Let me mention four things about God’s forgiveness.

1. God’s forgiveness is inclusive. Verse 4 sets no limits on what sins are forgiven. It says, “There is forgiveness,” forgiveness for any sin by anybody. Murder, adultery, lying, stealing, coveting, failing to keep the Lord’s Day, taking the name of God in vain, whatever it may be. There is forgiveness with God. You may be utterly ignorant of the Bible. You may not know a single item of theology. Know this at least: “There is forgiveness” with God.

2. God’s forgiveness is for now. You do not have to hope that somehow you might have forgiveness at the last day, at the final judgment, but need to stand in trembling uncertainty until then. You do not have to work for it or earn it; you could never earn it anyway. There is forgiveness now, at this very moment; and it is for you, whoever you may be, wherever you are, or whatever you have done. At this very moment you can pass from death to life and know that your sins have been forgiven forever.

3. God’s forgiveness is for those who want it. It is there, but you must ask God for it and trust him to give it to you. The writer of the psalm is confessing his sin, not covering it up. He is asking God for mercy. He is believing, or trusting, God, for he says, “With you there is forgiveness.” Thousands of people confess this each week in the words of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe . . . in the forgiveness of sins.” Have they actually asked God for forgiveness? Many do not even know what the words mean. Do not be among those unbelieving masses. Come to God and ask him for the forgiveness you need and he provides.

4. God’s forgiveness leads to godly living. Such forgiveness leads to a heightened reverence for God. It is what verse 4 teaches when it adds to forgiveness the words “that you may be feared.” Fear—a holy reverence of God—is the essence of true religion. It is what is drawn from us when we know that we have been loved and saved by God in spite of our sin and former disregard of him.

The true and inevitable effects of forgiveness are love and worship and service. By these effects you can measure whether you have actually confessed your sin, believed on God, and been forgiven or are merely presuming on forgiveness without any genuine repentance or faith. Those who have been forgiven are softened and humbled and overwhelmed by God’s mercy, and they determine never to sin against such a great and fearful goodness. They do sin, but in their deepest heart they do not want to, and when they do, they hurry back to God for deliverance.

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.