THE Romans of old used to say: “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori,” which means that it is both sweet and becoming to die for one’s country. This is certainly true, from the patriot’s standpoint. You will notice, however, that the Romans only viewed such patriotism as “sweet and comely”; they did not attach a further value to it.
Mahomet, however, who lived when the Roman Empire had dissolved, and who was a prophet as popular as false, taught that death on the field of battle was the passport to paradise, adding that all who thus passed in would find awaiting them numbers of black-eyed maidens, bridally arrayed, to give them welcome. This last idea would invalidate the other, and lead one to fear that the ground of his doctrine could not be of God. It originated in his own mind, and was worthless. The Romans were nearer the mark than Mahomet.
It is the acme of patriotism to die for one’s country, and every man who sacrifices his life in so doing is worthy of all the honor that country can place on his name and memory. Let his name be enrolled among its heroes, and graven on its tablets of fame. Let his family, whether in castle or cot, receive the grateful recognition of the nation.
But if true, is the battlefield the only steppingstone to paradise? Is it the only place where such merit can be acquired?
Has no mother given her precious life for her child? Has no devoted doctor risked and lost his life for his patient? Has no worn-out nurse nobly allowed the lamp of her self-denying life to burn out, in order that the object of her care should live? Surely!
Had the mother, the doctor, the nurse the least conception of their meriting the reward of heaven for their self-sacrifice? Nay, they would bravely call it their duty, nor dream of supposing that the performance of it would, or could, entitle them to the special favor of God. Give them their due! Enshrine their cherished names in memory’s fondest affections, but think not that even by such lovely actions salvation can be purchased.
Does their action differ so widely from that of the soldier on the field, who, bidding farewell to “loved ones far away,” surrenders for their sakes life and limb, and nobly meets death on the field of blood?
No, the difference is not so great, saving that, while the one may watch during long hours of agonized and unnoticed devotion, the other is surrounded by all the glamor and éclat of war.
Both are equally beautiful but neither gives a title to heaven. Let this statement be most clearly understood. Let it be acknowledged that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)), and that “none can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him” (Psa. 49:77None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (Psalm 49:7)), and that the ransom of our nearest and dearest is far beyond our ability. We can neither, by any means, save ourselves, nor can we deliver from death those we love, even at the greatest possible sacrifice on our part. But a thousand thanks to God, the title to heaven is outside our own self-sacrifice or human efforts.
Christ “appeared once in the end of the world to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb. 9:2626For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26)). He alone—the Son of God—could “put away sin.” He met the claims of the eternal throne in all its majesty and holiness when, on the cross, He was “made sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:1313For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. (2 Corinthians 5:13)), and when, blessed be His name, He was also “made a curse for us” (Gal. 3:1313Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13)). There we see substitution indeed, full, valid, efficacious, and divine; so that, by the acceptance of His precious redemption, we may be saved at once and forever.
The blood of the Son of God supplies the title to heaven for everyone, of every nation, who trusts in Him. Oh! let it never be supposed that death on the battlefield, however heroic, however unselfish, however substitutionary, could meet the demands of God. If so, why had His Son to die? Why “must the Son of Man be lifted up”? Why this necessity?
Nay, but just as surely as He has been “lifted up,” so now “whosoever [on the battlefield or elsewhere] believeth on Him shall not perish but have [mark the present tense] eternal life” (John 3:1515That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15)).
Other title to heaven there is not. “But as many as received Him [we read in John 1:12,1312But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12‑13)] to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them which believe on His name: which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” This settles it absolutely.
God graciously opened the door to His house in His own way (even as the right to do so is His alone), whilst our mode of entrance is not self-sacrifice it the field, but by “believing in His name.” How simple! How divine 1 How certain! Let His name in all its saving value be your only plea “Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,” is the one perfect means of present and eternal blessing.
J. W. S.