There are even Christians who maintain... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12.

There are even Christians who maintain that one cannot know whether their sins are forgiven and that it will only be revealed in eternity. Why the uncertainty? Hasn't God spoken clearly enough in His Word on this subject? David, the writer of many psalms, knew that his "transgressions" had been removed inconceivably far from him. They were all forgiven without exception, and he was not alone in this knowledge.

Why should God leave those to whom He has shown grace in ignorance? The New Testament testifies that it is not so in several passages. One is in the apostle John's first epistle: "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life" (ch. 5:13). He wanted to assure believers that their sins were forgiven and that they possessed eternal life - life that is appropriate for God's presence.

Similar clear statements can be found in other passages of God's Word, e.g., John 5:24; Romans 5:1; Hebrews 10:10.14.17.18. Nevertheless one constantly comes across people who are conscious of their guilt before God, regret their sins and have confessed them, but still say, "I hope to get to heaven". Instead of, "I know that my redeemer lives" (Job 19:25).

We should like to remind such anxious souls that Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice was perfect. It is the basis for the forgiveness of our sins, the assurance of which lies in the definite promise of salvation that God has given in His Word.

Today's reading: Judges 13:1-10 · 2 Corinthians 11:22-33