" . . . The people who dwell in it [Zion] will be forgiven their iniquity."
THE great blessing of being in Christ, is having our sins forgiven. Without this, the wrath of God hangs over our heads, and no relationship with God is possible (at all). BUT, with forgiveness comes every other good and truly precious treasure (that churchmen enjoy, in Jesus).
How do you know if your sins are forgiven, or not? Good question. What do you *believe*? Do you believe you have to *do* something, in order to assuage God's righteous anger (against your sin)? If so, your sins remain with you. Do you believe that Jesus Christ *bore* your sins on the cross--and that you apprehend forgiveness through imputation of Christ's righteousness to your soul, by grace through faith (alone--without works)? Then, your sins are forgiven.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Did not Christ lack the sense of God's love, when He said, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'?"
--William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
