YOU all know what they are, for every private has them. Some of you have got a clean sheet, Company and Regimental; others have records of misdeeds upon them which have been seen by your Company Commander and by your Commanding Officer as well. Little misdeeds and grosser acts, of insubordination, all recorded on one sheet or the other, and all coming before the, eyes of those who have the power to punish or to forgive. When face to face with the judge, the question is, “What is this man’s crime, Sergeant-Major?” “It is on this sheet, sir,” is the answer. And on the yellow army form the “Misdemeanor” or the crime is written, and re-told in the hearing of the prisoner.
All this is necessary for army discipline — the punishment, heavy or light, is made to fit the crime. Sometimes “Admonished” is the decision, other cases are sent to the Commanding Officer to be dealt with.
Soldiers! Some of you have known what it is to tremble before the frown of those who had the power of punishment in their hands, and you have known what it is to have borne the punishment they have inflicted.
In nine cases out of ten the men own to the justice of the punishment.; they know that breaking laws brings them under law.
Soldiers! who read this — what about the sins you have committed against God? None of you have a clean sheet there. “All have sinned” and the punishment of sin is death. “The soul that sinneth it shall die!” Must all die then, for all have sinned? Must you die eternally because of your sins against a Holy God? You must die, and go to hell, unless Another will bear the punishment of your sin and die for you, for you cannot save yourself. “Is there anyone who would die for me, you say?” “Yes, One has died, the” “Just for the unjust” to bring us to God. Who is it? The apostle Paul, whose defaulting sheet was full, tells us. “The Son of God who loved me, and gave. Himself for me.” Yes, “He took the guilty culprit’s place, and suffered in his stead.”
As a sinner you stand before a Holy God. Your defaulting sheet is full, crime after crime have you committed against God — every sin must have its punishment. God must punish sin. Where did God punish sin? On Calvary. “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Come and stand by Calvary now. As you, gaze upon the Cross ask yourself two questions.
1. Why did Jesus die?
2. For whom did Jesus die?
Answer: “There was no other good enough,
To pay the price for sin;
He only could unlock the gate
Of heaven and let us in.”
This is why He died, because there was no other who could pay the price demanded for the ransom of the soul. Hark! a voice from heaven is speaking to your soul now — “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” Take your place now as a sinner — own your sin — the sin that made the Saviour die.
2. For whom did Jesus die? I want you to be able to say “He died for me.” Think of your defaulting sheet now — filled with your life’s sin — drunkenness, blasphemy, immorality, and thousands of other sins. Take two looks — look back over your past life — then look at the Cross of Christ and say: — “My sins deserved eternal death,
But Jesus died for me.”
Then with a contrite heart say, “I have sinned, I am full of iniquity, I cannot save myself, I come to Thee.” Yes: —
“Just as I am without one plea —
But that Thy blood was shed for me —
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee―
O Lamb of God I come.”
And in coming you shall find salvation, for the Saviour says:
“Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.”
Your defaulting sheet of sin may be cleared in a moment, for God says to those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, “Though your sins he as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isa. 1:1818Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)).