THESE were the words of one who, though unconverted, through the pressure of circumstances was led to admit that in years past she had yielded to the temptation to take “the pleasures of sin for a season.” In consequence of this she had had to eat the fruit of her own ways, and had passed through much trial and sorrow. Deeply she felt this, and still the trial remained.
Do not these words express perhaps the experience of many a soul who has heedlessly and willfully taken his own way without God? Did not the prodigal find, when he left his father’s house and went his own way in the far country, that hardship and degradation were the fruit of his self-willed course?
There are many instances of this in the Word of God from Adam downwards. His one act of disobedience brought death into the world. Then Cain, in his hatred and jealousy of his brother, killed him; and after God had spoken to him, said, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.” Look, too, at Absalom, whose love of power and flattery led to disobedience to his father, and heartless rebellion against him, causing his own death.
We may also note God’s dealings with His earthly people Israel. Jehovah had said (Ex. 15:2626And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. (Exodus 15:26)), “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight... I will put none of these diseases upon thee.” But what was the state of this people when the Lord was on earth? Suffering, disease, and death everywhere plainly showed that they had not been obedient, and were then “eating the fruits of their own way.”
We need not multiply instances of this, for we see around us what terrible trials and sorrows have resulted to many who have yielded to the power of the tempter and have had to reap the sad consequences.
Then, again, think of the pain and weariness that a rebuking conscience gives to the erring one. Oh, what days and nights of bitter, bitter weeping and remorse are passed through by such till there seems to be no remedy, no hope! nothing but the future of eternal misery staring one in the face, for we read, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psa. 9:1717The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. (Psalm 9:17)). Yes, God is righteous, and sin must be punished.
But is there no hope? is there no way out of this state of misery? Yes, truly, for there is One who never sinned, and yet has “suffered, the Just for the unjust, to bring us to God.” But how can I face God? says one who is willing to confess the sin. Take your Bible, and read, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). This same “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)).
That Holy One, of whom it is written, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth,” suffered that you might not suffer eternally. Listen further to God’s own Word: “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. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53).
Is not this good news? Will you believe it? Can you say before God in simple faith, “He bore my sins in His own body on the tree, on that dreadful cross where man crucified this Blessed One”? He whose whole life on earth was for the glory of God — that Holy One who bore not only all the indignities that man could heap upon Him, but also the hiding of God’s face on the cross, when He was made sin to meet all the righteous claims of God. Think what an hour that was!
“That hour of deepest woe
He bore that the sinners He had come to save might be freed from the eternal consequences of their sin.
Do you fear to trust Him? He says, “Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out.” Did he repel the woman of Samaria, whose life had been one of sin and shame? (John 4). Was not the woman in Simon’s house a sinner (Luke 7), and she was received by Jesus, and heard what He said of her to the self-righteous Pharisee, who had found fault with the Lord for His grace in receiving her? He says, “Her sins, which are many, are all forgiven.” To her His words are, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” Confess it all to this gracious God and Saviour, and trust Him who is faithful and just to forgive your many sins. What joy and comfort it will be if you are able to say, His blood was shed for me upon the cross, and I am saved forever through the death of that One who never sinned but suffered in my stead!
“Yes, there’s One — only One!
The blessed, blessed Saviour, He’s the One.
When afflictions press the soul,
And waves of trouble roll,
And you need a Friend to help you,
He’s the One.”
E.