AT different points on the Rhine, in Germany, an ingenious device has been improvised to cross from one side to the other of the river. A boat is anchored in the middle of the stream, to which three or four others are attached by a long chain, at a little distance from one another. The current, which is strong, pressing on the boats, keeps all “taut.” In the last one sits a ferryman, who guides all by a rudder. Turning it, the stream gradually drives the line of boats towards, say, the left bank, till the last one touches it. Persons then, who desire to cross, enter the boat, and the ferryman having again turned the rudder, and the stream again pressing, the passengers, without any effort on their part, are carried safely over to the right side.
This simple means of crossing a river has struck us as a very forcible illustration of the experimental side of the deliverance of the believer’s soul.
The Lord Jesus Christ has been into death for the glory of God and for our salvation. Having been made sin, and borne the whole judgment thereof, He was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, and is now the risen Man in His blessed presence. The desire of the heart of God for all whom in His grace He blesses, is that we should not stop short at the forgiveness of our sins, but that we should be drawn into the company of Christ and have part with Him (John 13:88Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. (John 13:8)). It is only in the presence of the Father, on the other side of death, that the soul enters on the deep and abiding joys of His risen life.
Brought to repentance through God’s grace, He freely and fully forgives our sins, and puts His Spirit within us (Acts 10:43, 4443To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (Acts 10:43‑44)). By Him, God’s love is shed abroad in our hearts (Rom. 5:55And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5)), and joying in His forgiveness, by the Spirit working in us, our affections are drawn to and set on Christ, through whom it reaches us, and the desire is kindled in our hearts to be in His company apart from all evil.
Now the only way to obtain deliverance from our condition and surroundings in a world under the dominion of sin, and to reach Christ thus, is by death. We do not mean the death of the body, but death morally—death with Christ—death to all that links us here with fallen man and man’s world under Satan. To be in living association with Christ now, our connection with all that He died to must be morally severed—sin and this present evil world, and all that man is according to the flesh. Christ’s death is the way of that deliverance.
It is here that our illustration comes in. The Rhine ferryman waits at the bank, ready to steer across to the other side of the river all who desire it. So also our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is waiting, daily waiting, on precious souls who know His full pardon, and have tasted of His great love—to guide them, so to speak, to the other side of the river of death, in order to share His company now in the Father’s presence.
The Rhine peasant, trusting the man in the ferryboat, steps in with confidence, and by the power of the flowing stream is carried safely to the other side. So also every pardoned soul, attracted by the love of Christ, confidingly committing himself to Him, may, without his own useless efforts, but by the mighty power of the Spirit of God, be carried beyond the power of this world into a sphere of life and liberty on the other side of death. Thus delivered, he can join with the apostle in saying, “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:22For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)). Henceforth he is “not in the flesh, but in the Spirit.” He is set free to enjoy all the sweets of liberty as one of the happy circle of the children of God, who have their place and portion on the other side of death.
Dear reader, how is it with you? Maybe, through grace, you can say honestly before God and man that you know your sins are forgiven. Give all praise to His blessed name for that. But has your soul tasted the joys of life and liberty in a risen Christ, free from the power of that which is in you and around you? If not, consider the import of the little figure we bring before you. Forsake the left bank at once. Abandon all trust in your own efforts. Commit yourself wholly to Christ, in whose blest name you are forgiven. Let Him turn the rudder for you, so to speak, so that you may be steered at once to the right bank. The power is ever present, ever flowing, which will carry you over. The Holy Ghost is here, waiting and willing to serve you thus. Christ has died to sin and lives to God. Know, then, that “Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:9-119Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:9‑11)). So you will find yourself in the blessed experience of your soul, by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the light and joy and power of the company of Christ, ready to welcome His speedy promised return, and then to be glorified together with Him forever. But the power for your moral deliverance is here now.
The attraction is there, in Him who loved you and gave Himself for you. His Spirit is here to carry you over. If you have not crossed, why not cross now?
E. H. C.