What does God require as an atonement for my sin? Is it tears? The tears of the blessed Lord went up to His Father as “an offering of a sweet-smelling savor,” as He wept at the tomb of Lazarus and over the beloved but apostate city of Jerusalem. The tears of the aged Paul and youthful Timothy (Acts 20:19,31; 2 Cor. 2:4; 2 Tim. 1:4), were well-pleasing to God, as they wept with anxiety over those the Lord had committed to their charge. But where, in the whole canon of Scripture do we find that tears were ever an atonement for sin?
Will fastings avail? The blessed Lord fasted forty days and forty nights while He was tempted of the Devil; and He, as ever, in this, was doing what was well-pleasing to His Father. The prophets and teachers of Antioch likewise fasted as they waited upon the commands of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:1,2) But where does God tell us that fasting will procure the pardon of sins! On the contrary, though the self-righteous pharisee of Luke 18 fasted “twice in the week,” he went not down to his house justified.
Will prayers avail? Jesus “continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12) Cornelius, “a just man, and one that feared God,” (and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, Prov. 1:7,) “prayed to God alway;” his prayer came up for a memorial before God, and Peter was sent to deliver him by the word of salvation, and thus introduce him into the blessed liberty wherewith Christ doth make His people free. The poor publican, too was heard acceptably in his groan of bondage he “went down justified rather than the” Pharisee. But where does God reveal that prayers can come up to God as an atonement for sin? On the contrary, “the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord.” (Prov. 15:8) God heareth not sinners.” (John 9:31) “When they make many prayers he will not hear.” (Isa. 1:15.)
Will sorrow for sins profit? The soul of the blessed Saviour was “exceeding sorrowful even unto death.” (Matt. 26:38) The disciples of Matt. 17:23, and the elders of Acts 20:38, were “exceeding sorry,”—the former at hearing of the approaching trouble, of their beloved Master, the latter because they should see the face of their instructor no more. The Corinthian assembly sorrowed after a godly sort, and “carefully” cleared themselves of the sin which was amongst them. But where does the Word of God teach that any amount of sorrow for sins will take away their smallest stain! Judas sorrowed in vain—Esau sorrowed in vain. Life alone can produce that “godly sorrow “that “worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of;” and they were lifeless!
Will works do nothing? Jesus worked the works of Him that sent Him while it was day, for the night was coming in which none could work; and of His great atoning work we will speak more again. Rahab, in the full persuasion that the God of Israel was “God in heaven above and in earth beneath,” and, knowing that He had “given them the land,” “received the spies with peace,” and perished not with them that believed not, thus proving her faith by her works. Abraham staggered not at the demand of God for his son, Isaac, but endured the trial of his faith by offering his only son on the altar. But where does Scripture ever tell of any amount of works serving as a recompense for sin? On the contrary, “by the works of law no flesh is justified.” (Gal. 2:16) Righteousness is “to him that worketh not.” (Rom. 4:5) “By wicked works we are enemies to God.” (Col. 1:21.)
Will ordinances do? We read that those who gladly received the word under the preaching of Peter (Acts 2:41) were baptized and broke bread. Paul himself was baptized and eat the Lord’s Supper with the disciples at Troas. (Acts 20:7) But where did God at any time provide that either baptism or the Lord’s Supper should be for a moment thought of as an escape from the righteous penalty due for sin!
Dear reader, if you are resting on your tears or your fastings, your sorrow, your prayers, your works, or your ordinances, as a means wherewith to get rid of your sins, or aid in doing so, I most solemnly warn you that you are building on a foundation of sand—that you are presenting to God that which He will not accept froth any unsaved sinner!
His requirement for sin is death! not any of the things I have named, which are right and good in their proper place.
And now let me assure you that Jesus, eighteen hundred years ago, met the righteous judgment of a holy God for sin—gave up His precious life for us. His presence at the right hand of God is a witness to you that God is eternally satisfied for the atonement He has made for the sins of tha vilest sinner. Do you then believe this?
May I then entreat you to turn away from those things in which you have been vainly trusting hitherto, and rest your soul henceforward on CHRIST! as the all-sufficient ransom for your soul—the already accepted propitiation for your sin!
I tell you that, had he left one atom of His work unfinished, He could not be now where He is, at the right hand of God. Oh, look at Him there and be satisfied that He is the same Jesus that died for you. His wounds show it-His words tell it. Acknowledge Him then as your Saviour, and know that you are saved! Believe on Him in your heart, confess Him with your mouth, and righteousness and salvation are alike yours this moment.
Continue then to gaze on Him, and, as Stephen, you will be inwardly and outwardly conformed to His image. (Compare Acts 7:59,60; Luke 23:34,46; Acts 6:15; 2 Cor. 3:18.)
“The blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
D. T. G.