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Do you believe that your sins are forgiven, and that Christ has made a full atonement for them?

                                                                                                     August 14

Morning Verse
“You made me find joy in what you have done, O Lord” (Psalm 92:4a God’s Word).

C. H. Spurgeon, “The Prince of Preachers” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you believe that your sins are forgiven, and that Christ has made a full atonement for them? Then what a joyful Christian you ought to be! How you should live above the common trials and troubles of the world! Since sin is forgiven, can it matter what happens to you now? Luther said, “Smite, Lord, smite, for my sin is forgiven; if You have but forgiven me, smite as hard as You will”; and in a similar spirit you may say, “Send sickness, poverty, losses, crosses, persecution, what You will, You have forgiven me, and my soul is glad.” Christian, if you are saved in this  way, while you are glad, be grateful and loving. Cling to that cross which took your sin away; serve the One who served you. “Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you” (Romans 12:1 God’s Word).  Do not let your zeal evaporate in some little ebullition of song. Show your love in expressive tokens. Love the followers of the One who loved you. If there be a Mephibosheth anywhere who is lame or halt, help him for Jonathan’s sake (2 Samuel 9:1-12). If there be a poor tried believer, weep with them, and bear their cross for the sake of the One who wept for you and carried your sins. Since you are forgiven freely in this way for Christ’s sake, go and tell the joyful news of pardoning mercy to others. Do not be contented with this unspeakable blessing for yourself alone, but publish abroad the story of the cross. Holy gladness and holy boldness will make you a good preacher, and all the world will be a pulpit for you to preach in. Cheerful holiness is the most forcible of sermons, but the Lord must give it to you. Seek it this morning before you go into the world. When it is the Lord’s work in which we rejoice, we need not be afraid of being too glad.
—Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92), “Morning and Evening” [edited to modernize the language]