"...the forgiveness of sins..."

Which is a harder concept for you to believe: (a) that God in Christ Jesus chooses to forgive sins and remember them no more;  (b) that your sins are forgiven; or, (c) that God forgives the sins of others?

You probably know the story of Jesus forgiving the convicted criminal.  The crook was being tortured to death on a cross next to the one on which Jesus was dying too. (Luke 23:33-43) The crook confessed his sins and his faith in the saving power of Christ. A death-bed conversion, we might suppose.  Could Jesus really forgive him? Would Jesus really forgive him?  If ‘yes’ and ‘yes’ are your answers, when you think about your life, are you able to really confess your sins; are you able to really believe that Jesus, on his Cross forgave your sins too? If ‘yes and ‘yes’, believe that there is a place in Paradise for you too. Really. Truly. “There is therefore no room to doubt that he is prepared to admit into his Kingdom all, without exception, who shall apply to him.” (John Calvin, Commentaries)

Your sins are never a burden too many or too big for God to forgive. Your sins are never a burden too few or too small to make the confession of them unnecessary.  It is never too soon to truly profess your belief in the forgiveness of sins. It is never too late to receive that forgiveness of sins. It is never too soon nor too late for your to extend the same forgiveness to someone else.

“A poet wrote of a man killed as he is thrown from his horse: ‘Betwixt the stirrup and the ground, Mercy I asked, mercy I found.’” (William Barclay, Commentaries)

The next time you recite the Apostle’s Creed, professing your faith in the forgiveness of sins, know that before the words slipped from your lips it happened.   

Go and do likewise.