About the forgiving of sins [from Part II]
![About the forgiving of sins [from Part II]](/woodcuts/1704Luik1/00033350.jpg)
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: About the forgiving of sins [from Part II]
Scripture Reference:
- 1 John 1 (further images / scripture text)
Description: Under a dark sky the Soul walks with Jesus who is wearing an aureole and holding a torch in his right hand. A narrow band of light appears on the distant horizon. The Dutch artist and poet, Jan Luiken (1649-1712) was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and composing the poem that accompanies it.
Poem: The Soul in the light speaks, how, and in which way God forgives sins.
The horrid darkness is not dispelled,
As long as the morning light waits to rise.
Do not deceive thyself, Oh man! Thou shalt not rid thyself of sins,
As long as thou art still the old Adam.
It is all deceit: there helps neither praying nor begging,
If thou dost not wish to dissolve thy false will;
That he would also comfort those who want it, is lying and false,
Thou dost bear the burden of all thy sins on thy neck;
When Christ arises in the heart, then the night of sins,
And all darkness, is devoured in the godly light:
And if that really does not happen in this time,
Then thy poor Soul remains eternally in night.
It does not happen, as thou hast heard here,
That a guilty man, is absolved of his guilt by the King’s words,
Through a favor, for he did not become better,
But remained a rogue, a thief or murderer in his heart.
No, it must happen differently: a burning fire of the Lord,
Must convert the old bad man to dust and ash,
From there grows a life, that God loves in Christ,
Relieved of all guilt and adopted as his child.
God’s Answer:
"Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do well. Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed; judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. “Come now, and let us reason together,” saith the Lord. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:16-18).
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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