Mon., 6/1/15 Devotion (Isa. 33:24b)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 33:24b, where we read these words:

" . . . 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 positive relationship with God is possible (at all). BUT, with forgiveness comes every other good and truly precious treasure (that Christian churchmen enjoy, in Jesus).

How do we know if our sins are forgiven, or not? Good question. What do we *believe*? Do we believe we have to *do* something, in order to assuage God's righteous anger (against our sin)? If so, our sins remain with us. Do we believe that Jesus Christ *bore* our sins on the cross—and that we appre-hend forgiveness through imputation of Christ's righteousness to our souls, by grace through faith (alone--without works)? Then, our 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"]