I WAS struck yesterday, on entering the meeting-room at D— by the appearance of a man whom I did not remember to have seen there before. Throughout the service he listened most attentively, and when the people began to disperse I could not resist placing my hand upon his shoulder, with the inquiry, "Have you peace with God?”
“No," was the reply, “I cannot say that I have.”
“Well, my, fried" I said,” I am sorry for it; but I feel sure I am right in supposing that you would wish to have it.",
“I would, indeed," said he.
“Well,” I said," do you believe that you are by nature a lost sinner?”
“We are all that,” said he," and so, of course, I am one as much as anyone else.”
“Well, then,” I said," if according to your own confession you are a lost sinner, you assuredly require a Saviour; and does not the word of God tell you that One has been provided for you, and that, if you now believe on Him, you are eternally saved?”
“Oh, but,” he said," surely it's not so easy as all that. Have not I got something to do on my tart? Of course I believe, and always did believe, that Jesus died for me; but I must help.”
"Oh! '' I said," and now do tell me what could you, a poor sinner, consciously dead in trespasses and sins, DO to help?”
“I could pray,” said he.
“Why, of course, for that very thing, to be reconciled,” he said.
“Oh! but, “I answered," this passage plainly states that God, on the ground of the accomplished work of Christ, is now entreating you, and sinners like you, to be reconciled to Him. Where, then, is the wisdom of your asking Him to he reconciled to you?”
“Oh, but, “he said," I don't believe that I could be reconciled to God without asking for it.”
“Then, “I said," I have only to assure you that you are sadly mistaken. God, as the twentieth and twenty-first verses so plainly state, has anticipated your petition by Himself sending to ask you to be reconciled; for (or because) He has made Christ to be sin; and now, instead of asking, you have simply to, believe that Christ has been made sin for you, and you are instantly reconciled to God,' made the righteousness of God in Him.' ''
“Well," he said, " I never saw it in that light before. That's quite new to me, and I'll think over it, and come and hear you again.'”
“If the Lord permit," I replied. And so we parted.
And now, my reader, this way of looking at the most important question in the world” may be quite new to you also; but it is nevertheless blessedly true that, as we read in Col. 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20), COL 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20) the Lord Jesus has “made peace by the blood of His cross "; and therefore God is now in a position, consistently with His own truth and holiness, to “come out and entreat '' (Luke 15:2828And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. (Luke 15:28)) LUK 15:2828And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. (Luke 15:28) poor sinners to draw near to Him. This He did first by His Son; next by those who heard Him (Heb. 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3)), HEB 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3) and now He is doing it by those whom the Holy Ghost has sent forth (Acts 13:44So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:4)) ACT 13:44So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:4)as "ambassadors” or heralds, to declare the glad tidings, that “He hath made Him to be sin for us Who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
Does not the poor blind mendicant at your door cease his cry of want the moment he hears your welcome voice pressing a sixpence on his acceptance? It is what he wants. He receives it thankfully, and goes away rejoicing.
Why should not you, dear praying one, pause in your petitions for a moment to listen to the voice of God praying to you to be reconciled to Him on the ground of the finished work of Christ? Why should not you, even as you read this, give thanks to Him, believing that you have redemption through His blood, “the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace "? (Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)). EPH 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)
Reader, may peace with God, unchangeable as Christ is changeless (Heb. 13:88Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)) be yours; but oh! remember the solemn warning: " If the word spoken by angels was steadfast,... how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation " (Heb. 2:2, 32For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:2‑3)). HEB 2:2-32For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:2‑3)
D. T. G.