Faith and Sight.

IN these days of genius and knowledge, when learning, art, science, and music lend their varied and potent influences to elevate men’s minds, and minister to the ever-increasing needs of the human heart, it is well to remember that we are not indebted to the twentieth century for an explanation of the reason why, and the manner how, man has ever sought to make himself happy apart from God.
In Genesis 4:16,16And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. (Genesis 4:16) we read that “Cain went out from the presence of the Lord,” and we have abundant proof today that his posterity have never got back. From verse 16 to 22 Cain’s posterity is given, Enoch, Irad, Mehujael, Methusael, Lamech, Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal Cain, whose names would signify a mixture of religion, art, science, wealth, and beauty, all that could commend itself to the fallen heart of man who had departed from God. It might sound well to have your children named Methusael (man of God), or Lamech (strong young man); Adah (beauty) may beget Jubal, and he be the source of the sweet inspiring strains of the harp and the organ; but after all God was shut out, and man left to himself must, sooner or later, find himself the subject of God’s holy judgment. However fair and imposing all might appear in man’s estimation, God has recorded for our admonition His solemn verdict and judgment of man’s condition in Genesis 6:5,5And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5) “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” “And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark” (Gen. 7:2323And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. (Genesis 7:23)).
Dear reader, do you not see, all around you, the elements of Genesis 4 at work today? Plenty of religious profession, the name of Christ stamped on every form and phase of benevolence and philanthropy. Professed ministers of the gospel pre-siding and officiating at the “world’s fairs,” its exhibitions; its religious and social entertainments. Plenty of music, too, soothing with its bewitching strains the consciences of men and women. Operas and musical dramas are plentifully prepared to meet the fastidious and refined tastes of high-class critics; the cantata and the oratorio suit the moral and religious community; art, science, and philosophy unfurl their banners to the sober student and the diligent scholar; while honor, wealth, and fame spread their treasures at the feet of their willing worshippers. Thus it was in Lamech’s day, thus it is today; the natural heart of man remains unchanged; it must of necessity have an object, and if God is shut out, then that object must be found “under the sun” (Eccl. 2:1111Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:11)).
“The fashion of this world passeth away” (1 Cor. 7:3131And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. (1 Corinthians 7:31)). All that is fair and beautiful, all that delights the eye and captivates the senses will presently be swept away with the besom of God’s holy judgment. Escape to the “Haven of refuge” while yet the door stands open to receive you. In Genesis 5, faith’s line is recorded, running parallel with that of Cain. Seth (appointed), Enos (a fallen man), Cainan (possession), Mahalalel (praise of God), Jared (descent), and Enoch who walked with God and was translated. In Hebrews 9:27,27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27) we read, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”: but the one who bows to God’s appointment, and takes a fallen man’s place (Enos), grasps the fact that Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many, and enters righteously into possession (Cainan) (Rom. 8:1, 17, 38, 391There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38‑39); John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)), and thus being morally fitted for the praise and worship of God (Mahalaleel), he treads the path of faith―a downward one, as far as the world is concerned (Jared), but the prospect immediately before his soul, translation (Enoch), the coming of the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16-1816For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑18)).
Dear reader, on which line are you traveling? In faith’s narrow path that ends in glory, or in the broad highway of sight and sense, that leads to the pit of everlasting woe? You must have to do with God; the question of your sins must be raised―why not at this moment, when the stream of grace is flowing so freely? The dark cloud of judgment is fast encircling this fair universe; beware lest you share its doom. “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)); have you owned this in reference to yourself before God? If so, the remaining part of the verse is your rightful possession—and having received “the gift of God” in simple faith, you are fitted, through the work of Christ on the cross, to render acceptable praise and worship to the Father (John 4:23, 2423But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23‑24)).
But you are passing through an enemy’s land, where all is against you, and in measure as you walk by faith, it will be a path of suffering. “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted,” and this was fully illustrated in the Lord Jesus Christ, who “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:8, 98And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (Philippians 2:8‑9)). Dear fellow-believer, you and I are destined to share His glory by-and-by: shall we not count it a marvelous privilege to have fellowship with Him now, in His rejection, in the scene of his deep dishonor?
What has God given us for our comfort in the long hour of Jesus’ absence? The hope of His speedy RETURN (1 Them. 4:16-18). Does this minister comfort to you, dear reader? Does it flood your soul with joy―the prospect of seeing HIS FACE? If not, something must be wrong. See to it, for God’s way to comfort suffering saints is to tell them that Christ is coming quickly.
Is there a Christless professor reading this paper? Friend, remember that if judgment linger long, it will surely come. The one who waits on yonder throne, whose long-suffering is SALVATION, who speaks in accents of grace, now, will presently take up His great power and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Poor trembling sinner, where will you stand when He comes to take vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the gospel of His Son? (2 Thess. 1:8, 98In 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 1:8‑9)). What will your covering of fig leaves avail you in that day, when, condemned and speechless, you will be cast out into outer darkness? (Matt. 22:11-1311And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:11‑13)). Oh, friend, let the amazing love of Christ, so fully expressed on Calvary, subdue your rebel heart, and free you forever from Satan’s iron fetters, for still―
“Mercy’s blood-stained lintel,
Thy door of hope may be.
O, sinner, Jesus waits for Thee.”
Now a word to pleasure’s votaries, frittering away the precious moments in quest of that which will never satisfy. Remember Lamech’s two wives―Adah and Zillah (“beauty and shadow”). He could boast of beauty, the harp and the organ could discourse their sweet strains to delight his heart and gladden his ear, but a dark shadow hung across his path. What was it? GOD SHUT OUT. Unsaved one, you are chasing a phantom, a shadow, which will elude your grasp, leaving your poor heart unsatisfied and disappointed. True lasting joy is alone to be found in Christ, and it may be yours this moment, if you will only stoop low enough to receive Him. Make haste, like Zaccheus, and come down and receive HIM joyfully. Let Him once more be the guest of one that is a sinner (Luke 19:5-75And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. (Luke 19:5‑7)).
G. F. E.