THE court-house is crowded; the judge has closed his charge to the jury. The case has been one of murder, and with breathless interest the verdict is awaited. After some time the jurors return to their places, and the verdict―guilty―is given by the foreman. A solemn hush falls on the crowded court as the judge pronounces the death sentence, adding, as is usually done, “Prisoner at the bar, I give you so many weeks (or days, as the case may be) to make your peace with God.”
How many a trial has closed in this manner, and how little the many spectators in the various courthouses, or the readers of the daily papers, appear to realize that they too have been tried, and that their trial is over. Yes, my unsaved reader, your trial is over, your case has been tried at that court from the decision of which there is no appeal―the bar of God. The verdict has been announced― “guilty before God” (Rom. 3:1919Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19)). You have been “weighed in the balances and been found wanting” (Dan. 5:2727TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. (Daniel 5:27)). You are “condemned already” (John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)). Sentence has been passed, the death sentence, “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)). “The second death the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:14, 1514And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14‑15)). You are at present, as it were, in the condemned cell, awaiting the execution of the sentence.
Clear as a clarion note rings the voice of Him who will judge the world in righteousness— “It is finished.” He tells you not to make your peace with God. Nay, to the door of the condemned cell the glad tidings are brought, “It is finished.” Peace has been made, made by Christ the Lord, made more than eighteen hundred years ago, made by the blood of His cross, made for you, an enemy. Wondrous tidings: flinging wide the prison doors, proclaiming liberty to the captives.
We were at enmity―not God. His heart of love yearned over those whom, in His righteousness, He banished from His presence. He spared not His own Son, but freely delivered Him up for us all, and He it was who made peace by the blood of His cross.
The message has gone forth. Far and wide the voices of the messengers proclaim the glad tidings. Peace has been made. “Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 13:3838Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 13:38)). In village and hamlet, in town and city, in hall and in the public streets, the good news sounds forth, “Liberty to the captives.” But strange, marvelously strange, is the sight witnessed by the messengers. Instead of a rush of eager souls, anxious to avail themselves of the pardon offered, it is but the few who believe the glad tidings, and leave the condemned cell.
What strange madness possesses these deluded souls? More earnestly rise the voices of the messengers, “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:2020Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)). Knowing the terror of the Lord they persuade men, but oftentimes turn away weeping, on account of the folly of those who refuse the liberty proclaimed to them; some smiling, some mocking, some in anger, refuse the proffered pardon. How can such madness be explained? They are blind. They know not that the walls of a condemned cell surround them, they know not that the day for the execution of their sentence is fixed-they know none of these things, for “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Cor. 4:44In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)). “The gospel is hid―hid to them that are lost” (2 Cor. 4:33But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (2 Corinthians 4:3)).
Tinsel and gilt have been arranged so as to conceal the prison walls. Instruments of music, and objects of art and science have been provided to make the time pass pleasantly. Various pursuits and occupations are encouraged by the prince of this world to lull their souls to sleep, and blind their minds, until the stroke of righteous judgment falls, and then, too late, they see. The door of mercy, long open, is at last closed, the proclamation of pardon has been withdrawn, the bearers of the glad tidings have been summoned home. Too late they see it all―too late forever.
Reader, you are guilty, condemned already. This world is, so to speak, the condemned cell: its god, Satan, ever seeks to blind the minds of them that believe not, to lull them to sleep with his varied opiates―pleasure, business, wealth, or even forms of religion―until the day of grace closes, and their eternal doom is fixed.
Are you willing to be thus duped? As a messenger of Him who made “peace by the blood of his cross,” I proclaim the glad tidings to you, and beseech you, ere it be too late, “be reconciled to God.” “Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 13:3838Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 13:38)). A Saviour’s heart of love awaits your cry of need, a full free pardon awaits your confession of sin. Instead of the danger of the condemned, the doom of the lost, the lake of fire, you can have the liberty of the redeemed, and the Father’s welcome to the Father’s house. Haste: delay not. Your soul’s salvation is at stake. Ere it be too late secure the offered pardon. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). Reader, it is worthy of your acceptance. Sinner, He came to save. Be you steeped in sin, yea, if the reader lies in the condemned cell of one of the gaols of this land, guilty of the foulest murder on record, to you is the word of this salvation sent, to you is preached the forgiveness of sins.
See that you refuse not Him that speaks. See that you neglect not His great salvation. The prison door is open. Liberty, pardon, and peace are proclaimed through the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Wilt thou go free? Is the pardon purchased at such infinite cost not worthy of thine acceptation? Surely it is, and He who did it is, all worthy of your everlasting praise.
“I’ve found Him meet my every need,
That He a Saviour is indeed;
Each rising want has been supplied
Whene’er to Him I have applied;
He is of grace the treasury,
All fullness dwells in Him for me.”
L. H. F.