"Who Is A GOD Like YOU, Who Pardons Sin."

My pardon cost HIM that!
(Archibald Brown, "Who is a Pardoning God Like Thee?" 
Stepney Green Tabernacle)

"Who is a GOD like YOU, who pardons sin 
and forgives the transgression of the remnant 
of HIS inheritance? YOU do not stay angry 
forever, but delight to show mercy. 
YOU will again have compassion on us. 
YOU will tread our sins underfoot and 
hurl all our iniquities into the depths 
of the sea!" Micah 7:18-19

Before GOD could forgive a sinner 
in accordance with HIS infinite 
holiness and perfect justice--
think what had to be done, 
sacrificed, and suffered! 

Measure GOD'S pardon, by the obstacles 
HIS pardoning love overcame--
and then you can form some idea 
of its intensity.

GOD has fathomed HIS love and 
pity in one text, 

"GOD SO loved the world, that 
HE gave HIS only begotten SON."
(John 3:16) 

That little word "so" contains more 
than Heaven or earth can describe. 
In it, is the heart of GOD; in it, is 
the depth of pardoning love. 

O think for a minute what that pardon 
cost, which now makes your soul sing 
for joy. You received it freely enough, 
because Another paid the price; 
but what was that price?

It cost JESUS a price no lip can tell--
and no heart conceive! 

See HIM tied to yonder pillar--
mark that awful scourge as it falls 
again and again upon HIS quivering 
flesh; note how deep the thongs cut, 
drawing blood at every stroke! 

Your pardon cost that! 

"By HIS stripes we are healed." 
Isaiah 53:5

Follow HIM in that weary walk to Calvary--
linger by HIM as fever courses through 
HIS veins, while head and hands and 
feet all drip with gore! 

Stay by HIM until HIS sacred head 
falls upon the bosom, and HIS great 
heart breaks with anguish. And then, 
looking up into that ashen countenance, 
say "My pardon cost HIM that!" 

Yes, no pardon could ever have 
come to guilty man--
if an atonement had not 
been made that . . .
  satisfied divine justice,
  honored the law, and
  magnified the holiness of GOD.

It is sweet work to trace the ruby 
stream of forgiving love; and mark 
how it would flow on until it reached 
the sinner, yes, even though it flowed 
along the channel of a SAVIOR'S wounds!

Who is a pardoning GOD like THEE?
Who has grace so rich and free?

   ~  ~  ~  ~

You may want to read the whole of Archibald Brown's superb sermon,
 "Who is a Pardoning God Like Thee?"