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First, we are blessed with the pardon of sin, and then we bless God for the pardon of sin.

I. Forgiveness is A PRIMARY BLESSING.

1. We never enjoy a mercy as a mercy from God till we receive the forgiveness of sins.

2. There are many mercies which are not given at all, and cannot be given, until first of all the pardon of sin has been bestowed. The application of the blood of sprinkling must be felt, the cleansing power of the atonement must be known, or the rest of the blessings of the covenant will never reach us.

3. And well may the Lord place this mercy first, because when it comes it ensures all the rest. The day-dawn is always followed by the clearer light.

4. The pardon of sin comes first, that it may be seen to be an act of pure grace. If any other blessing had preceded it, our legal spirits would have dreamed of merit and fitness: if any attainment had been reached by us before the forgiveness of sins was given, we might have been tempted to glory in self; but now we perceive that God forgives our sins before He heals our moral diseases, and therefore there is no room for pride to set her foot upon.

II. Forgiveness is A PRESENT BLESSING.

1. This privilege the believer has actually obtained. As many as have looked to Christ upon the cross are now justified by faith, and have peace with God. This is a matter of present fact, and not of mere hope.

2. This present mercy is perpetually bestowed — He still forgiveth our iniquity; there is perpetuity in it. At this very moment I may be mourning my sin, but God is forgiving it. Even in the holiest deeds we do there is still sin, but even then God is still forgiving.

3. This mercy of pardon is knowingly received. Nobody ever sings over uncertain blessings.

4. This present blessing is immediately efficient, for it secures us a present right to all that is involved in being pardoned. Then seek it at once.

III. Forgiveness is A PERSONAL BLESSING. "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities." Our Lord is a blessed God to forgive anybody, but that He should forgive me is the greatest feat of His mercy. A good brother wrote me the other day, "Mercy had reached its zenith when it saved me." He thought so of himself, and we may each one think the same of his own case. "But may we know this personally?" saith one. I answer, "Yes."

1. Some of us know that God has forgiven us, because we have the character which He describes as being forgiven. In repentance, in confession of sin, in forsaking sin, and in faith in our Lord Jesus, we have the marks of pardoned sinners, and these marks are apparent in our souls.

2. Moreover, if you have any doubt about whether the Lord forgives you now, it will be well for you to make sure that you accept His way of salvation. It is by faith in His dear Son.

3. We know that we are at this moment forgiven, because we at this moment give to the Lord Jesus Christ that look which brings forgiveness.

IV. Forgiveness is A PERFECT BLESSING. "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities." He does not remove the great ones, and leave the little ones to rankle; not the little ones, and leave one great black one to devour us, but "all of them He covers and annihilates with the effectual atonement made by His dear Son. Now, I want you to obtain this pardon as a complete thing. Do not rest till you have it: you will never know true peace of mind until it is yours.

V. Forgiveness is A PRICELESS BLESSING. Though it could not be purchased by a life of holiness or by an eternity of woe, forgiveness has been procured. This pardon which is freely preached to-day to all who believe in Jesus hath been purchased, and there is He that procured it, sitting at the right hand of God the Father, a man like unto ourselves, but yet equal with the ever-blessed One.

( C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

WEB: who forgives all your sins; who heals all your diseases;