BELOVED READER, —God has visited this world, has manifested Himself in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a fact, and is of immense importance to you, whether you feel interested in it or not.
He came down from glory, not to get God to love the sinner, hut to declare the love that already existed in God's heart toward the sinner. It is written: "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (1 John 4:99In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9).)
I call your attention to the fact, that the Son of God has been into this world. He laid aside His glory, and took upon Himself the fashion of a man, and was when here the most gracious and the most accessible of men.
He carried with Him that which lost man could get nowhere else, and was the only man that could ever stand upon this earth and say, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).) What an announcement was this to make in such a world of sin, sorrow, weariness, and want! But He had more to give than rest: for in Him was life. Yet the sorrowful testimony that He gave of those around Him was this: "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life." (John 5:4040And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:40).)
This blessed One was hated without a cause. He was "the light of the world." And this did not suit man; for "men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Hence they did not rest until they had got rid of this Jesus, so that they might go on undisturbed in their own paths of iniquity. A robber was preferable to Jesus, the Son of God! (John 18:4040Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. (John 18:40).) Their cry was, Away with Him! Crucify Him!
But God, in His own wondrous grace, made this crowning act of man's hatred against Himself to be the only way of salvation; for where man made this blessed One the martyr, there, upon Calvary's cross, God gave Him to be the victim. Thus the path of the Lord Jesus Christ shows me on the one side the fullest expression of man's hatred against God. (Acts 3:13-1513The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. (Acts 3:13‑15).) While, on the other side, it shows me God's eternal hatred of sin, and His wonderful love toward the sinner. (2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).)
It was there, upon the cross, "that mercy and truth met together;" and it was there that "righteousness and peace kissed each other." (Psa. 85:1010Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (Psalm 85:10).)
Thus, when I think of the death of Christ, I am constrained to say, "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." (Rom. 5.)
It was upon the cross that the Lord Jesus Christ endured God's wrath against sin, in order that the love which existed in God's heart might righteously flow out towards those who were "UNGODLY," "SINNERS," and "ENEMIES." "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).)
Every barrier that hindered the outflow of the love of God to the world has been removed. The precious blood of Jesus has answered every claim. And that same Jesus that died upon the cross now sits upon the throne in heavenly glory. God raised Him from among the dead, and, having exalted Him, has declared that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:10, 1110That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10‑11); Psa. 72; 1 Cor. 15:20-2820But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:20‑28); Rev. 5:55And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Revelation 5:5).)
My desire is, to press home upon your soul the fact that the Savior is to-day in glory!
My question to you is, Do you know Him? It may be that you know a great deal about Him. But this is not what I mean. It is eternal life to know Him. It is written: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou halt sent." (John 17:33And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3).)
Have to do with the Lord Jesus Christ you must; either now in saving grace, or presently in judgment! The dying thief had to do with Him when He hung upon the cross. Saul, His most determined enemy upon earth, had to do with Him when He was in heavenly glory— the same Jesus, but in different circumstances. The thief turned to the Savior on the cross, owned his sinful condition, and asked to be remembered in His coming kingdom. The Savior's answer to his cry was, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:4343And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43).) Saul, on the other hand, on his way Damascus, endeavoring to wipe out the memory of Jesus from the earth, is met by that same Jesus in brightest glory!
How does the Lord meet this daring enemy, the chief of sinners? With this simple inquiry: "Saul, Saul, WHY persecutest thou ME?" (Acts 9) Could Saul tell Him why? No. But in the light of that glory, which was above the brightness of the sun, he fell to the ground and exclaimed,
“Who art thou, Lord?”
The answer 'was, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”
Not one word of reproof fell from the Savior's lips. What a reception was this for Saul! His course on earth was changed. No longer the persecutor of the saints of God, but henceforth to be an ambassador for that Savior here, and a preacher of Him as glad tidings among the nations. (Gal. 1:1616To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: (Galatians 1:16).) He announced what that Savior was in Himself as glad tidings to those around him.
You see, on the one hand, how a dying malefactor was received, and, on the other hand, how the proud, self-righteous enemy of Jesus was received.
Care you then, dear reader, for Him, the living, loving Savior in glory? Be assured of this: He cares for you, and desires your salvation. (2 Peter 3:9, 109The 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 3:9‑10).)
Gladly do I declare what He has done; for "He gave Himself a ransom for all" (1 Tim. 2); and God was satisfied and GLORIFIED with the work that He accomplished on the cross; for He crowned Him in heaven with glory and honor. (John 17; Heb. 2)
Let me also ask you, beloved reader, do you want rest, peace, righteousness, eternal life? All are found in that living Savior up there in glory! (Eph. 2:1414For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Ephesians 2:14); 1 Cor. 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30); Col. 3:33For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3).)
Be assured He is the only refuge for your immortal soul, and you will spend eternity either with Him in glory, or with the lost in hell!
To turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven, and to refuse present grace, is to ensure future judgment; for after death there is judgment. (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).) And there will be no grace, no mercy, for the sinner when he stands before the "great white throne." (Rev. 20)
When the Savior was upon earth He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (or judgment); but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).)
But, beloved reader, remember that "the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day."(2 Thess. 1:7-97And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:7‑9).)
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, 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; 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 3:9, 109The 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 3:9‑10).)
Reader, where will you, be in that day?
“The more Thy glory strikes mine eyes,
The humbler I shall lie;
And while I sink, my joys shall rise
Immeasurably high.”