Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 849. Rom 4:7-8. The Bliss of the Pardoned
Subjects in this Topic:
Rom_4:7-8. The Bliss of the Pardoned
"Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."—Rom_4:7, Rom_4:8.
The text stands in connection with the Apostle's reasoning, in reference to the free justification of the sinner by faith, without the deeds of the law. But we do not intend to take up that argument, as it would involve the necessity to go through the greater part of the preceding chapter, and the whole of this. But we just wish to look at the text, as it stands alone; for it contains a complete and most interesting theme in itself; and is one in which every soul of man is deeply and eternally interested. You will see too, that it is a quotation from the thirty-second Psalm. So that it had been uttered by divine inspiration, more than a thousand years before Paul quotes it, by David, the sweet singer of Israel.
It will be seen also from this that the real essence of religion has been the same in all ages. Just as men have always been sinners, and always unable to deliver themselves from guilt and its consequences; so God from the beginning has been rich in mercy to all who have believed in his revealed will of grace and compassion towards our perishing world.
Doubtless, Abel experienced this pardoning grace, as he offered his sacrifice in the exercise of faith in the promised Messiah. So Abraham and the devout patriarchs, and prophets, and godly men of all ages, up to the period of Christ's manifestation in the flesh. Let us then look at this all-important subject as presented in the text. And in doing so,
Observe then,
I. The state described.
And,
II. The blessedness declared.
Notice,
I. The state described.
Now this state most obviously implies,
1. Previous guilt.
When there is no guilt, there can be no pardon. So that it is clear from the text, that the divine law had been violated—that sin had been committed—that iniquity had marked the heart and life. Now these remarks apply to all mankind. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."—Rom_3:10-12. All our race are guilty, depraved, and condemned before God; and on this ground of man's pollution and misery, is the great scheme of divine mercy and salvation revealed, and its blessings offered to him. The text refers,
2. To Divine pardon.
"Whose iniquities are forgiven."
Now, on this point, observe the momentous truths involved. That God alone can forgive sin—he has expressed himself as a forgiving God, as delighting to pardon. He forgives sin, however, only through the medium of sacrifice. "Without shedding of blood there can be no remission." That sacrifice is the Lord Jesus Christ in whose blood we have redemption, even the remission of sin. He forgives only in connection with repentance and faith,—a change of mind and life in reference to sin and faith in God's gracious word as waiting in plenteous love to pardon. Now, each of these points deserves our most serious consideration; for our pardon must flow from God's rich mercy, through Christ's sacrifice, and be received by repentance and faith on the part of the sinner. Hence the urgent exhortation—"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."—Act_3:19. Observe in the text, a reference,
3. To the entire removal of sin. "Whose sins are covered." No longer visible. No longer in the book—but effaced. "Blotted out as a cloud." "Cast as a stone into the depths of the sea." Put away into everlasting oblivion.
Now, here the full and everlasting character of pardon is presented. So far as it can be, the sin, if thus forgiven, is annihilated—it shall be remembered no more. However diligently sought for, it shall not be found. God remembers our pardoned sins no more. His pardon is a complete and final act.
The text refers,
4. To the righteous acceptance of the pardoned, with God.
"To whom the Lord will not impute sin." God has now no charge against him. (See Rom_8:1, &c.) He treats him as though he had never sinned; deals with him as a righteous person. Thus all such are with God accepted, sanctified, and justified before him. It may also refer to the great truth, that though the obedience of such is not perfect, yet the heart being renewed, and the spirit upright, and the soul resting on the Lord Jesus, God constantly accepts their persons and services in him, and imputes not sin unto them—though rigidly he might do so; for, if he marked iniquity who could stand?
Such then is the state described in the text. And this state was not peculiar to David, or to the early Christians, but is the happy state of all who have believed on the Lord Jesus. For all such enjoy the full and entire remission of sins; all such are accepted and beloved of God, and are holy and approved of him. Every child of God has been brought into this most gracious state of pardon and favor.
Observe then,
II. The blessedness declared.
"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven." You see the same is repeated in the text—"Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."
1. He is blessed with a personal interest in redeeming love.
The love of God has been predicted published, embodied in Christ, and preached in the gospel. But the person in the text realizes it. It comes home to his heart and conscience; he feels it—knows it—can declare it. For the love of God is shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given to him. He exclaims with delightful transport, "I love him because he first loved me." He can sing experimentally—
"My God is reconciled,
His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for his child,
I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And 'Father, Abba, Father!' cry."
2. He is blessed with all the results of the Saviour's work.
It is a truth that Christ has come from heaven—lived—suffered—died—risen and ascended to heaven. But the pardoned sinner knows and enjoys this in his experience. He can say, He loved me and gave himself for me; and Christ dwells in his heart the hope of glory. He is Christ's, and Christ is his. He has found the peerless pearl. All that Christ is, and has, and has done, and is doing, and will forever do, belong to him; and how unspeakable the treasure—to possess a whole Christ in all his glorious fulness, and in all his comprehensive work.
3. He is blessed with the peaceful enjoyment of the divine Spirit.
The result of the forgiveness of sins is the gift of the Holy Spirit. So Peter preached on the day of Pentecost. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."—Act_2:38. So the apostle avers: "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sous of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."—Rom_8:11-16. Now it is evident the Holy Spirit is God's great gift under the New Testament dispensation; that which Christ pronounced as the climax of the divine munificence; and is designed to be the source of holiness, peace, light and joy to the Christian. Hence Christ said, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."—Joh_14:16-18.
4. They are favored with an interest in all the blessings of the new Covenant.
Look at its rich blessings; beginning with pardon, and terminating in eternal glory. Its glorious privileges—sonship and friendship with Christ—"Heirs of God." Its countless promises, like the brilliant stars of the firmament. Its heavenly enjoyments—fellowship with God, and with his Son Jesus Christ, and blessed communion with all his people. Its eternal glories—a crown—a kingdom—a throne; and all inseparably connected with everlasting felicity, and pleasures for evermore.
Now, such is the blessedness of the man whose sin is forgiven. And, observe also, it is present blessedness. Not past, or only future, but present; he is now the blessed man. It is real blessedness; yea, superlatively higher than anything earth can give. Not mere show, but that which is solid and satisfactory. It is also a blessedness which shall endure forever.
It is impossible to do more than merely paint in feeble outline, the rich course of mercies which they are called to enjoy, who have experienced the pardoning love of God. For with this stupendous act of the divine clemency, there is given to the happy believer a chain of promises, the highest link of which unites him to Christ's throne and joy in heaven.
We ask then in conclusion, as to this blessedness,
(1.) Is it yours? Do you enjoy it? Do you exhibit its results? If so, rejoice in it, and remember everywhere and in every state, that you are God's blessed people. And let this remembrance be grateful and obedient; by this spirit and life, show forth Christ's praise, and the riches and sanctifying power of his grace.
Observe of this pardon,
(2.) It is the offer of God in the gospel to all men. "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of by the prophets: Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you."—Act_13:39-40.
God who is most blessed, and whose blessedness is the source of all blessings to his creatures, waits to confer this favor through Christ his son, on all who repent and believe on his name.
For this the gospel is preached—invitations of mercy sent out—expostulations of divine pity uttered; so that the most depraved and guilty need not remain ignorant, guilty, and perishing, but if he will come to God by faith in Jesus, he shall be freely received, graciously pardoned, fully blessed, and finally and eternally saved into the enjoyment of glory, immortality, and eternal life.
How sweetly appropriate the hymn of the devout Doddridge—
"Hark how the gospel trumpet sounds!
'Tis a delightful voice:
'Prisoners of death, no longer groan:
Ye broken hearts, rejoice.'
Pardon to sinners is proclaimed
By their affronted God;
'Tis God beseeches to accept
Peace made by Jesus' blood.
When vengeance might have crushed to death
The poor rebellious worms,
The God of love proposes peace
In most alluring forms.
What heart such kindness can resist,
Or spurn such wondrous grace?
Come, sinners, hear your Maker's voice,
And take in heaven your place."