The Pursuit of Godliness: Forgiveness

Devotional thoughts on Thomas Watson’s The Godly Man’s Picture (part the second)

"Guilt clips the wings of prayer so that it cannot fly to the throne of grace, but forgiveness breeds confidence." [Thomas Watson (1620-1686), The Godly Man’s Picture, 1666, reprinted by Banner of Truth, 1992, p. 11.]

Godliness is the evidence of God in a person's life. Having created man for His own glory, God desires communion with man. However, since Adam's sin that communion has been severed. There has been an effective break in the relationship between man and his creator. In other words, there has been an awful divorce, and God hates divorce (Mal 2:16). He desires reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:20). This is the way to godliness; this is where godliness begins. To be reconciled to God is to be fogiven of the sins that have effected the great divorce. Paul shows us the way of reconciliation by stating that, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5:21). Forgiveness of sins comes through Jesus Christ alone.

True hapiness comes not in the temporal things the world has to offer us, but in reconciliation with our Creator-Redeemer-God. Watson turns our attention to this mighty truth in the first chapter of this book. "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee" (Psa. 32:6). Watson says, "This is an incomprehensible blessing, and such as lays a foundation for all other mercies."

From here, he follows this outline in showing the genesis of godliness.

1. Forgiveness of sin is an act of God's free grace
2. God, in forgiving sin, remits the guilt and penalty
3. Forgiveness of sin is through the blood of Christ
4. Before sin is forgiven, it must be repented of
5. God having forgiven sin, he will no longer call it to rememberance (Jer. 31:34)
6. How sad it is to lack it!
7. How sweet it is to have it!

Sinner, do you know the experience of prayers hindered by guilt? Are you seeking to approach God on your own terms, without humility and repentance. "All the curses of God," writes Watson, "stand in full force against the unpardoned sinner." Seek forgiveness and the heavens will open to you.

Christian, do you know the experience of having the wings of your prayers clipped by guilt? In the same way you came to Christ the first time, you must come again. Humble yourself in repentance. To refuse to repent is arrogance, "but forgiveness breeds confidence."

The Pursuit of Godliness: Forgiveness