He Remembers No More
God promises to forget our sins and regard us as though we had never sinned, thanks to the atonement of Christ Jesus.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound joy of knowing that God forgives our sins and chooses to remember them no more, as stated in Jeremiah 31:34. He explains that through the great atonement, believers are regarded as if they have never sinned, wearing a divine righteousness that surpasses Adam's innocence. Spurgeon reassures that God will not punish us for our sins nor love us any less because of them, as our debts are completely obliterated. While we should mourn our transgressions, we can rejoice in the assurance that they will never be held against us, which motivates us to turn away from sin. This understanding of God's grace instills a desire to live in obedience and honor Him.
Text
For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)
When we know the Lord, we receive the forgiveness of sins. We know Him as the God of grace, passing by our transgressions. What a joyful discovery is this!
But how divinely is this promise worded: the Lord promises no more to remember our sins! Can God forget? He says He will, and He means what He says. He will regard us as though we had never sinned. The great atonement so effectually removed all sin that it is to the mind of God no more in existence. The believer is now in Christ Jesus, as accepted as Adam in his innocence; yea, more so, for he wears a divine righteousness, and that of Adam was but human.
The great Lord will not remember our sins so as to punish them, or so as to love us one atom the less because of them. As a debt when paid ceases to be a debt, even so doth the Lord make a complete obliteration of the iniquity of His people.
When we are mourning over our transgressions and shortcomings, and this is our duty as long as we live, let us at the same time rejoice that they will never be mentioned against us. This makes us hate sin. God's free pardon makes us anxious never again to grieve Him by disobedience.
Sermon Outline
- God's Promise of Forgiveness points: - The Lord promises no more to remember our sins - This promise is rooted in the atonement of Christ Jesus
- The Nature of God's Remembrance points: - God can forget our sins - He will regard us as though we had never sinned
- The Effect of the Atonement points: - The great atonement removed all sin - It is to the mind of God no more in existence
- The Believer's New Status points: - The believer is now in Christ Jesus - Accepted as Adam in his innocence, with divine righteousness
- The Lord's Response to Sin points: - The Lord will not remember our sins to punish them - Nor will He love us one atom the less because of them
Key Quotes
“Can God forget? He says He will, and He means what He says.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The great atonement so effectually removed all sin that it is to the mind of God no more in existence.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“As a debt when paid ceases to be a debt, even so doth the Lord make a complete obliteration of the iniquity of His people.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should rejoice in God's forgiveness and be motivated to live a life that honors Him.
- God's forgiveness makes us anxious to never again grieve Him by disobedience.
- We should hate sin and strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.