A Grave Query.

THERE is an important question asked in Luke 13:2323Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, (Luke 13:23)— “Lord, are there few that be saved?” Now, whether it was mere curiosity which led to the asking of this question or not, I do not now seek to prove; but it is quite certain that the Lord’s answer was not given to gratify natural curiosity. It should arouse the conscience of all those who are still traveling on “the broad way which leadeth to destruction.” And I would here point out that all are “by nature the children of wrath” (Eph. 2:33Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:3)) and therefore on the broad way which leadeth to destruction.
It is declared in Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6) that “we have turned everyone to his own way,” and a man’s own way is certainly the wrong way. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 16:2525There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 16:25)). The way you are traveling may—in your own eyes, and according to your own thoughts—appear to be the right way, but remember that if it is not God’s “way of salvation” you are in, it is the wrong way. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord” (Isa. 55:88For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)). In answer to the question referred to, we see that there are many who find out when too late, to their own loss, that they had been in the wrong way. They sought to be admitted on the ground of what they had done. They say, “We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets” (vs. 26). I have no doubt that this would apply now to those who eat the Lord’s Supper and listen to the preaching of the Word of God, and think that by doing these things they are sure to get to heaven.
But that will not do, for it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:5,65Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (Titus 3:5‑6)). “Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:99Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)). Christ has accomplished a work —the work which His Father gave Him to do, on the ground of which all who believe in Him shall be justified— “Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God: to declare, I say, at this time, his righteousness; that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:24-2624Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:24‑26)).
Do not be carried away with the delusion that you must do some good works in order to be saved from the wrath to come. All the people “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation,” who will be in the glory, will give the Lord all the credit for their being there. Yes, we shall sing heartily “unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us a kingdom and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev. 1:5,65And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5‑6)).
We read in Romans 4:2,2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (Romans 4:2) “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.” Was it because of some works that Abraham did that God justified him? The Scriptures plainly testify that it was not. Abraham was justified by faith, as verse 3 says, “For what saith the scripture, Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” And neither can you be justified in the sight of God by your own works. So that if you are attempting this impossibility, it will be your wisdom to give it up at once, and take the way which the Scriptures show to be the right way. “To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (vs. 5).
Instead of having your sins charged against you by the Lord, you shall be cleared from the guilt of your sins; and is not that a wonderful blessing? Abraham was “fully persuaded that what God had promised he was able also to perform.” It was not a question of what Abraham was able to do, but of what God was able to do. Therefore “he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.” Now the promise of God to all those who “believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification,” is, that righteousness shall be imputed to them (Rom. 4:20-2520He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:20‑25)).
Be thankful that you are still living in the day when you can be made ready to enter in, before “the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door.” But do not be deceived into thinking that you have plenty of time, for the door may be shut at any moment now. And as that day finds you, so you shall remain; for the scripture says, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” (Rev. 22:1111He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (Revelation 22:11)).
The Lord has promised to return, and will soon fulfill it, although scoffers say, “Where is the promise of his coming?” “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (see 2 Peter 3:3-103Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:3‑10)).
And now, dear reader, in view of these things, be persuaded to come to Christ, who “hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)). And when the door is shut, you will find yourself inside, in the presence of the Lord, where there is “fullness of joy” (Psa. 16:1111Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)). But if “you will not come to him that you might have life,” you will find yourself outside the door, and the Lord’s solemn word to you then will be, “I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
B. W.