We have a strange illusion that mere time cancels sin. I have heard others, and I have heard myself, recounting cruelties and falsehoods committed in boyhood as if they were no concern of the present speaker's, and even with laughter. But mere time does nothing either to the fact or to the guilt of a sin. The guilt is washed out not by time but by repentance and the blood of Christ: if we have repented these early sins we should remember the price of our forgiveness and be humble.

Summary

This quote highlights the fallacy of believing that the mere passage of time can absolve one of their past sins. The author observes how people, including themselves, often speak of past transgressions with a sense of detachment or amusement, as if they hold no relevance in the present. However, the quote asserts that time alone does not diminish the reality or culpability of a sin. It emphasizes that true forgiveness and cleansing of guilt can only be achieved through sincere repentance and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It urges individuals to acknowledge the cost of their forgiveness and approach their past with humility.

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