Oh, the atrocity of the sin of a pardoned soul!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"O Lord, we are covered with shame-because we have sinned against You!" Daniel 9:8

A deep sense and clear sight of sin-its heinousness and the punishment which it deserves-should make us lie low before God's throne. As Christians-we have sinned! Alas! that it should be so. Favored as we have been-we have yet been ungrateful. Privileged beyond most-we have not brought forth fruit in proportion. What Christian is there-who will not blush when he looks back upon his past sins?

As for our days before we were regenerated, may they be forgiven and forgotten; but since then, though we have not sinned as before, yet we have sinned against light and against love-spiritual light which has really penetrated our minds, and the love of Jesus which we have experienced.

Oh, the atrocity of the sin of a pardoned soul! An unpardoned sinner sins cheaply-when compared with the sin of one of God's redeemed ones, who has had communion with Christ and leaned his head upon Jesus' bosom.

Look at David! Many will talk of his sin-but I beg you to look at his repentance, and hear his broken bones, as each one of them moans out its dolorous confession! Mark his tears, as they fall upon the ground, and the deep sighs with which he accompanies the softened music of his harp! We have erred-let us, therefore, seek the spirit of penitence.

Look, again, at Peter! We speak much of Peter's denying his Master. But remember that it is written, "He wept bitterly!" Have we no denials of our Lord to be lamented with tears?

Alas! these sins of ours would consign us to the place of inextinguishable fire-if it were not for God's sovereign mercy which has made us to differ, snatching us like brands from the burning! My soul, bow down in humility under a sense of your natural sinfulness, and worship your God. Admire . . .
  His grace which saves you;
  His mercy which spares you;
  His love which pardons you!