246. ISA 55:7. DIVINE PARDON

Isa_55:7. Divine Pardon

"He will abundantly pardon."’97Isa_55:7.

The pardon of sin is the foundation blessing of all the enjoyments and privileges the Gospel presents. In the text God shows how freely he waits to impart this blessing. For he will abundantly pardon. In this God acts like himself. All he does has a peculiar impress upon it, which does not belong to the works of any creature. His mode of pardoning is as much above ours, as the heavens are higher than the earth. See ver. 8.

It is not, therefore, on the Author, nature, source, and medium of pardon, that we shall dwell, but on the superiority of the mode of divine over human forgiveness. For Jehovah abundantly pardons.

I. Consider the inconceivable Disparity between God and those whom he Pardons.

He is the eternal, self-existent, high and lofty One, who inhabiteth eternity. The objects of his compassionate regard are as nothing before him. He in the highest heavens, they upon the earth. Now, no such difference can exist with us and our fellow-creatures. We are all in most respects equal. All distinctions therefore fictitious Notice

II. The Contrast between the Offences committed against God and Men.

Crime is aggravated,

(1) By the dignity of him against whom we sin; and,

(2) By our obligations to him. Now the being we have offended is not only the greatest, but the best of beings. Our Creator, Preserver, our Redeemer, Fountain of all mercies, Great Donor of all our blessings. "Every good and perfect gift," &c. Now we cannot, therefore, be as deeply obligated to any being as we are to God, and our sins against him are peculiarly aggravated and heinous.

Consider,

III. The divine Independency and Power to punish.

In society we have often to balance favors against offences, or we cannot punish without injuring ourselves. Not so with God. He owes us no favors. He neither needs us nor our services. He can always punish. Yet notwithstanding this, he "abundantly pardons."

Contrast,

IV. The Manner of human and divine Pardon.

Man forgives with difficulty. He has many passions to subdue, &c. A work of great moral exertion. Often requires time to be able to do it. God pardons freely, and with delight. His pardoning grace is as free as the rain, or copious dew. All his nature disposes him to do it.

V. Man pardons generally for the present and only conditionally; God pardons fully graciously, and forever.

Blots out as a cloud, &c. As a stone cast into the sea, &c. Isa_43:25; Isa_38:17. Jer_50:20. Mic_7:18.

VI. Contrast human and divine Pardon in the Number and Character of Offences forgiven.

We only forgive certain offences. Often speak of things unpardonable, &c., God forgives all degrees and manner of guilt thousand-pence debtors, &c. "Though as scarlet," &c. "All manner of sin and blasphemy," &c.

VII. Contrast human and divine Pardon in their Repetition.

Men may forgive once; perhaps again; but then the difficulty is greatly increased. A continued course of offences has steeled the hearts of parents, &c. God multiplies pardon. We need it every day. His forgiving acts must constantly be renewed, or we should perish. Daily we must confess, and obtain mercy.

VIII. Contrast human and divine Pardons in their Results.

A king pardons an old minister of state who has conspired against him, but he never receives him again into favor. A friend may pardon a deceitful and treacherous companion, but he never associates with him again. But God takes the rebel to his palace, the traitor to his heart. Receives the enemy as his child. Adopts, enriches, blesses, dignifies, holds the most intimate intercourse with him, and then receives him to his own eternal glory.

Application

1. How glorious and blessed is the Lord our God. How rich his goodness, how great his mercy.

2. What poor creatures the best of men are. How frail. How partially sanctified.

3. How important pardon is. Without it we are necessarily guilty, wretched, perishing.

4. How freely and gratuitously it may be obtained. God waits. Jesus has died, and is the Mediator between God and us. And whosoever seeks by faith and repentance, "he will abundantly pardon."

5. A remembrance of such love and goodness will greatly aggravate the misery of the incorrigible in a future state.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS