The Greatest Word
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesIn reading the Scriptures, we understand that sin can no more exist in the presence of God than darkness can exist in the presence of light (Habakkuk 1:12-13). To stand before Him in self-righteousness would be to invite our destruction (Ezekiel 33:13). The Psalmist wrote, “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3).
The story is told that there is a cemetery in our country which has a headstone with a name, but no date of birth, no date of death, and no epitaph. Engraved on that stone underneath the name is one solitary word, “forgiven.“
Brethren and friends, this one word is the greatest word that could ever be applied to any man or woman, or that could be written on any gravestone.
The Psalmist said, “There is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (Psalm 130:4). God is honored and worshiped because He alone can clear our record of any sin (Psalm 103:10-12; cf. Isaiah 43:25; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Hebrews 10:15-17).
Are we forgiven?