Acts 13:38-39 Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins:… 1. Not the forgiveness of crimes. There may be sin where there is no crime. Crimes are social, between man and man, between man and human law. Crime can be measured, weighed, and punished. But who knows sin? Only God. I can forgive a crime, but I have no jurisdiction in the province of sin. If I have done you wrong and am sorry for it you can on the spot say, "There is an end of it"; but after that I must have some plain talk with God. After I have apologised I have still a grievous discontent with myself. How to get clear of that? and whilst I am debating this serious question a sweet voice says to me, "Be it known unto you," etc. That is the word which a self-convicted, sin-burdened soul most eagerly delights to hear. But he must have felt the bitterness and guiltiness of sin before he can feel the need of such a gospel. When his heart is in a right state then the Cross becomes heaven to him, and the gospel the cry of God seeking His lost child. 2. In making this statement I lay all who are not yet forgiven under a tremendous responsibility. A man cannot hear a gospel sermon and be the same after as before. You are on one side of a great swollen river and want to cross it to get home. I come and say, "Be it known unto you that I have found a bridge." The fact of my telling you so alters the complexion of the whole case. You must prove me a liar before you can get back to your former state of negative responsibility. You are bound to say, "Where?" I am bound to tell you where; and if, after having pointed out the bridge, you will not go home those on the other side have a right to condemn you. Brethren, you are on one side and truth on the other. An infinite distance lies between; but Paul says it is bridged by Christ. You are bound to accept or disprove the statement. If not to die. You are suffering from a great plague. I come and say, "Be it known unto you, I have found a balm which has never failed." Your state of responsibility is changed from that moment. Prove me false, or accept the remedy, or die. We are dying, and Jesus is set forth as the forgiveness of sins. No man, therefore, can hear that statement, and be the same after it as before. 3. How little is this word "forgiveness" understood, however we may assume we understand it. We some. times ignorantly say, "Why does not God forgive all men, and make an end of sin?" He cannot. You cannot. We must be willing to be forgiven. I may say, if you have wronged me, "Sir, I forgive you," and you may contemptuously refuse to be forgiven. "But if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive," etc. Did He forgive the Pharisee? How could He? The Pharisee confessed nothing. Whom did He forgive? The poor self-accusing creature who cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner." So it is with us. 4. When God forgives, what happens? He forgets. "I will remember no more." Where there is no forgetting there is no forgiving. What does God do with our sins when He has forgiven them? He casts them behind Him. Where is that? He puts them away as far as the East is from the West. How far is that? 5. Here, then, is forgiveness. God is waiting I am authorised to say. Are you ready? "But I do not understand." Sir, your understanding will damn you, if you use it so. Do you feel your need? Then believe. The apostle distinctly says there is only one way — through faith in Christ. If there were but one door to this hall, and the guide said, "This is the door," what folly to seek elsewhere or try to climb up to the windows. To take his word simply is to save time and promote comfort. But Paul is only one man — then I call the innumerable multitude who have believed his word and been forgiven to corroborate him. (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: |
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