(Read Jonah 1)
IS the reader of this one who is desirous of feeling himself freed from the fear of the wrath of God and who is going about to do something to attain this? Your case, dear friend, is then met by what you see befell this crew. They find themselves threatened by a fearful storm, which is about to overwhelm them. They strive to save themselves by lightening the ship. It is in vain. In a sort of interlude, they learn that if they throw Jonah into the sea, which threatens to destroy them, all will be well. Treating this with incredulity, they turn again to themselves, and do their best, by rowing, to reach the shore. Failure again. At last, driven to the last extremity, they determine to carry out Jonah's directions, and throw him into the raging deep. The result is an immediate cessation of the storm, and all is quiet. The voice of praise and thanksgiving ascends.
Unconverted one, who is your Jonah? Even Jesus. He is offered to you now. Do not, like these sailors, put any trust in yourself, in the efforts which you may put forth. See how vain they were here. Have you any reason for thinking that you will be any more successful than others before you, who have tried the same thing? Jesus, you know, has borne on the Cross the wrath which God must otherwise pour out upon you. You do not come under condemnation if you believe (Rom. 8:1), for Jesus has already borne the wrath instead of you. But, remember, if you do not believe, wrath abideth on you (John 3:36).
Notice the tardiness and unwillingness of these men to take advantage of the way of escape put before them. Why was this? Is it not that they did not like to think that they could only be saved by giving up their own efforts, and acknowledging themselves as helpless. To say, "I am powerless," is more than the natural man can bring himself to do. Yet it must be done. Remember what the alternatives are. Complete surrender of yourself, with everlasting happiness in the presence of Christ, or a pampering of yourself by giving way to your pride, and with everlasting torment in the flames of hell, with Satan as your associate! There is no middle way. Do not let the devil persuade you for a moment to put off your decision, but let it be made at once, and let it be finally done. No half-heartedness in the things of Christ will do.
I would say a word to the careless, to the indifferent. Have you ever had your character written out in the hard, uncompromising lines of truth? I have. Shall I tell you where? Yours is there also. I speak plainly, for it is the matter of your soul's salvation, and I must be earnest.
We see, then, our character as natural men in Rom. 3:10-19. The judgments of such you may find in Rom. 1:18; 2:8, 9. Look at them, and may God's Holy Spirit open your eyes.
“He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him "John 3:36).
“The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin “(1 John 1:7).
G. A. VAN S.