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Martin Luther – We Need the Forgiving Mercy of God

26 Feb

[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. – Galatians 5:16-17 ESV

Look how bold the apostle is–he denies free will outright! We cannot do what we want, however hard we try…. Even the grace of God has not made the will perfectly free…. In this life, spirit and flesh battle it out, neither one being able to eliminate the other, although the spirit does manage to tame the flesh against its will and subject it to itself. No one can claim to have a clean heart or to be cleansed from filth, for whatever my flesh does, I do…. In every work of ours we need the forgiving mercy of God.

~Martin Luther~






Reformation Commentary on Scripture – Galatians, Ephesians (Downers Grove, IL; IVP Academic; 2011) p. 190

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Thomas Watson – What is Forgiveness? (5 of 5)

12 Aug

5. God having forgiven sin, he will no longer call it to remembrance (Jer. 31:34)
The Lord will make an act of indemnity. He will not upbraid us with former unkindness, nor sue us with a cancelled bond. ‘He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea’ (Mic. 7:19). Sin shall not be cast in like cork which rises up again, but like lead which sinks to the bottom. How we should all labour for this covenant blessing!

~Thomas Watson~



The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 9.

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Thomas Watson – What is Forgiveness? (4 of 5)

11 Aug

4. Before sin is forgiven, it must be repented of
Therefore repentance and remission are linked together: ‘that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name’ (Luke 24:47). Not that repentance in a popish sense merits forgiveness. Christ’s blood must wash our tears away, but repentance is a qualification, though not a cause. He who is humbled for sin will value pardoning mercy the more. When there is nothing in the soul but clouds of sorrow, and now God brings a pardon – which is a setting up of a rainbow in the cloud, to tell the sinner that the flood of wrath shall not overflow him – oh, what joy there is at the sight of this rainbow! The soul that before was steeped in tears now melts in love to God (Luke 7:38,47).

~Thomas Watson~



The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 10.

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Thomas Watson – What is Forgiveness? (3 of 5)

10 Aug

3. Forgiveness of sin is through the blood of Christ
Free grace is the impulsive cause; Christ’s blood is the meritorious. ‘Without shedding of blood is no remission’ (Heb. 9:22). Justice would be revenged either on the sinner or on the surety. Every pardon is the price of blood.

~Thomas Watson~



The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 9.

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Thomas Watson – What is Forgiveness? (2 of 5)

9 Aug

2. God, in forgiving sin, remits the guilt and penalty
Guilt cries for justice. No sooner had Adam eaten the apple, than he saw the ‘flaming sword’ and heard the curse; but in remission God indulges the sinner; he seems to say to him, ‘Though you have fallen into the hands of my justice and deserve to die, yet I will absolve you, and whatever is charged against you shall be discharged.’

~Thomas Watson~



The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 9-10.

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Thomas Watson – What Is Forgiveness? (1 of 5)

8 Aug

1. Forgiveness of sin is an act of God’s free grace
The Greek word for ‘forgive’ (charizomai) makes clear the source of pardon; pardon does not arise from anything inherent in us, but is the pure result of free grace (charis). ‘I even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake’ (Isa. 43:25). When a creditor forgives a debtor, he does it freely. Pardon of sin is a fine thread, spun out of the heart of free grace. Paul cries out, ‘I obtained mercy’ (1 Tim. 1:13) – ‘I was be-mercied’. He who is pardoned is all betrewn with mercy. When the Lord pardons a sinner, he does not pay a debt, but gives a legacy.

~Thomas Watson~



The Godly Man’s Picture (Edinburgh, Scotland; The Banner of Truth Trust; 1992) p. 9.

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