Forty-Two Years Learning Three

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 4
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AN aged ' man in the East of England used to say: “It took me 42 years to learn three things — that I could do nothing to save myself; (2) that God did not ask me to do anything; (3) that Christ did it all." Forty-two years was certainly a very long time to learn these three things. Has the reader yet learned them? Let us examine the three statements separately.
1. "I COULD DO NOTHING TO SAVE MYSELF." Have you learned that? Multitudes of professing Christians around us have not. Have you? “I don't believe it," says one. Why not? “Because we can only be saved by doing our best." Who, then, can be saved? Who has done his “best"? Have you? Have you never sinned against God? “Oh, yes; we have all sinned." Never mind the others at present. You admit that you have sinned. What, then, about sin's wages? “The wages of sin is death “(Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)). Have you not earned these “wages“? One sin unpardoned is sufficient to exclude you from heaven. What, then, is to become of you? “I purpose being better in the future." Future good conduct cannot atone for past disobedience. “God requireth that which is past."
2. The second fact learned was, that GOD DID NOT ASK HIM TO DO ANYTHING to save himself. “Surely he was mistaken," says one; “we are told to work for salvation." Give chapter and verse for that. It is true that the Apostle Paul, in writing to the Christians at Philippi, said to them: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12, 1312Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12‑13)). But working out salvation is not working for salvation. To Philippian sinners the Apostle said: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)); while to Philippian saints he said: "Work out your own salvation." The Philippian saints were already in possession of salvation. “Your own” implies possession. They were exhorted to “work out” what God had already wrought in. Being already saved they did not need to work for that which they already had. When unconverted Jews inquired of Christ, “What shall we do that we might work the works of God?" the Lord's reply was: “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent " (John 6:2929Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:29)).” First things first." Salvation is distinctly stated to be " not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:99Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)).
3. The third fact of this important discovery was that CHRIST DID EVERYTHING THAT WAS NECESSARY. If you believed that Christ paid it all on Calvary's Cross, you would not talk of your works having anything to do with salvation. Ponder the dying words of the Savior: “IT IS FINISHED." These blessed words have been the means of giving life and liberty to many troubled souls. On account of our innumerable sins, God's claims had to be met. The law had to be magnified and justice satisfied. All this, thank God, has been accomplished. "He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of (or with the view to) our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed " (Isa. 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)). Through Christ's “stripes “the sin-sick soul is healed. “Jesus paid the ransom, and salvation is free." It is free to you. You may have it now. Believe on Him who died to save you from sin's penalty and power, and you will immediately obtain everlasting life. A. M.