GOD'S attitude towards the world is that of proclaiming forgiveness, though only the repentant want it, and only the repentant get it.
This was proved at the Cross, when His relentless creatures had pressed the thorns upon Christ's brow; when nails had been driven into His hands and feet, that had been so active in good to man. When He had been lifted up on that cross, when, in fact, the malignity of man's heart had been expressed towards the One Who had expressed God's love and tender compassion, then it was that Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:33-34). This prayer told out the heart of God towards man, and was in full harmony with His will, "for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Here also was man's heart disclosed, in its unrestrained capability—your heart and mine, dear reader. Out of it proceed "evil thoughts, murders, false witness, blasphemies" (Matt. 15:18, 19).
The death of Jesus conclusively proved the whole world guilty before God (Rom. 3:10-19). It was man's final test. It is important to notice that it was to guilty Jerusalem that the first proclamation of God's forgiving grace was made, and that those who were convicted by it and repented were forgiven (Acts 2: 14-41).
It was never necessary on the part of God to make plain that there was no good in man. He knew what was in man, knew the awful extent of man's moral defection. But the least reflective person must admit that, in view of the Cross of God's beloved Son, any cure for our natural depravity is hopeless. He is lost. As an offender he needs forgiveness. If you are not awake to it, may God rouse you to a sense of its present importance.
Years ago hanging was more frequent than at present. Capital punishment was resorted to for offenses now considered worthy only of a fine or imprisonment.
An official, in a government capacity, had locked up his desk and wended his way home. After he had retired to rest that night, a strange foreboding oppressed him. He could not sleep. He rose and dressed himself, and at last passed out into the street, and wandered about the park that was near his residence. Ultimately he found himself near his office. Letting himself in, he went to his desk, and unlocked it. A startling sight met his gaze. There, reclining in its official envelope, was the sealed pardon of a poor man whose execution was dated to take place on the following morning. It had not been dispatched!
No time was to be lost. He immediately hastened to the nearest posting-house, and engaged a conveyance. There was no train or motor in those days to bring him to his destination; many a mile lay between him and the place of execution, and it meant change of horses, and the possible dangers of dark roads. But a life was in jeopardy, and in his hands the power of its deliverance. Again and again, with all the anxiety and concern of a matter of life or death, he urged the driver to keep up the speed.
The day dawned, and the distance was rapidly lessening. On and on the horses dashed....
The crowd had gathered in the city; the scaffold had been erected; the poor hopeless man stood in miserable expectancy of his doom; the hangman only waited the striking of the hour. Just then, clattering hoofs were heard approaching and the crowd scattered as the panting horses arrived at the jail. Quickly stepping from the vehicle, the official cried in loud tones, "Stop! I have his pardon.”
The man got his pardon just in the nick of time, and we may be sure that though there was delay in its reaching him, there was no delay in his accepting it.
Dear unpardoned reader, the proclamation of forgiveness is brought to you and for you.
“Now" is the nick of time. Your case is as urgent as this poor man's was—more urgent. You stand on the brink of eternity. The longest life is compared in Scripture to a vapor (James 14). To you God sends by His messengers the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins. None less than God the Holy Ghost has descended from heaven to declare that "Through this man [Christ Jesus] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins" (Acts 13:38), and that "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 2). See also 1 Peter 1:12.
How gladly would you accept such grace, if you knew your awful state, your hopeless condition Alas for you, and forever, if you senselessly think you do not need it. L. O. L.