The Blessedness of Being Forgiven

By Not Known

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2)

These verses invite us to consider the blessedness of being forgiven.

Alexander Francis Kirkpatrick, in The Book of Psalms mentioned that Psalm 32 was Augustine’s favourite. It was inscribed on the walls of his dying bed. It had been his constant meditation, comfort, and guide to life. This Psalm was also quoted by Paul in Romans 4 to attest that believers are justified, reckoned as righteous in God’s sight through faith alone in Christ.

Indeed, the blessedness of being forgiven lies not only in having our debts cancelled. God could have forgiven our sins and stay apart from us. Instead, He united us with Christ, imputed us with His righteousness, and reconciled us to Himself. Forgiveness is therefore only a link in the chain of graces that God has bestowed on those He has chosen in Christ. Thomas Watson rightly said, “He who has the first link has the whole chain in his hand.” What blessed assurance comes with this blessing of forgiveness!

Forgiveness opens the door to the first instalment of peace, joy, and righteousness that belong to the Kingdom of heaven. For the believers, “every little that they have . . . is given by God as the forerunner of those eternal mercies that the Lord intends for them.” (Jeremiah Burrough, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, 28). It is as the Apostle Paul puts it in Romans 8:30 “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

How then can we live in the blessedness of being forgiven? Forgiveness is experienced through the heart felt confession of our sins. It is not our confessions though but Christ’s work that earned our forgiveness, and every spiritual blessing that comes with it. Let us therefore be mindful and vigilant to keep our hearts clean and pure before God. Let us confess every known sin as soon as the Spirit convicts us of its presence in our hearts. Remember that the end goal of God’s forgiveness is not forgiveness but the enjoyment of light and glory in His presence, now and forevermore.