DIVINE PARDON

ISAIAH 55:7

A. "LET THE WICKED FORSAKE HIS WAY, AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAN HIS THOUGHTS: AND LET HIM RETURN UNTO THE LORD, AND HE WILL HAVE MERCY UPON HIM; AND TO OUR GOD, FOR HE WILL ABUNDANTLY PARDON."
  1. The pardoning of our sins is the foundation blessing of all the enjoyments and privileges the gospel presents:
    1. We are, by our very nature, sinners; sin is the transgression of God's law - Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:22; 1 John 3:4
    2. The transgression of God's law brings the sinner under condemnation; he stands in need of divine pardon - Rom. 5:12-19
  2. Pardon is, therefore, the very heart of the plan of salvation:
    1. We think of Mary Magdalene - Luke 7:37-47
    2. The publican - Luke 18:13, 14
B. "HE WILL ABUNDANTLY PARDON." PLACING THE EMPHASIS UPON THESE WORDS, LET US NOTE THESE WONDERFUL TRUTHS
  1. Consider the disparity between God and those whom He pardons:
    1. He is the Eternal and self-existent One, divinely self-sufficient - Isa. 57:15
    2. Those who are pardoned by Him are but a speck of dust, a little more than the atom - Isa. 40:15
    3. He is the embodiment of Holiness and perfection; his eyes are purer than to behold evil - Hab. 1:13
    4. The sinners are defiled and in a state of rebellion against God's will - Isa. 1:4-6; Rom. 3:9-19
  2. Yet, God's pardon far exceeds man's guilt of sin:
    1. Meditate upon Isa. 1:18; 55:7
    2. Think of the words found in Ezek. 16:6 - "And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live."
    3. Rejoice over Mi. 7:18, 19; Isa. 38:17
  3. Mark the contrast between the offenses committed against God and men:
    1. Sin is aggravated by the dignity of Him against whom we have sinned, and by our obligations to Him.
    2. Now the Being against whom we have sinned is not only the greatest but also the best Being in the universe - Jas. 1:17
    3. Remember the divine independence and power of God to punish, yet He still loves to pardon our transgressions - Isa. 55:7
    4. How different is the pardon by men -
      1. They forgive with difficulty.
      2. He limits his forgiveness - Matt. 18:21 (Is seven times enough?)
    5. Keep in mind the story as recorded in Luke 16:1-22; Matt. 18:23-32
    6. How often do we hear words like these, "I will forgive him, but I am unable to forget"; thus attaching a condition to his forgiveness.
    7. That is why the Lord makes our readiness to forgive others a condition to His forgiveness -
      1. Forgive as we forgive - Matt. 6:15
      2. "If ye forgive not from your heart" - Matt. 18:35
  4. How differently is the forgiveness by our heavenly Father:
    1. "I will remember their sins no more."
    2. "I will blot out their transgression."
    3. "I will remember them no more." - Mi. 7:18, 19; Isa. 44:20
  5. Let us claim the wonderful promise of our merciful God as recorded in our opening text:
    1. Yes, it is conditional -- based upon our attitude toward sin.
    2. It must be confessed.
    3. There must be sincere sorrow over our sin - Ps. 32:1-9
    4. We must want to be set free from the power of sin.
    5. As free moral agents, we can claim the pardon of our God, or we can reject it.
    6. Friends of mine, what is your personal reaction to this message this evening?
    7. Are you ready to seek and accept the pardon God offers through the gospel of Jesus Christ?


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