Read Psalm 5
“I ADMIT that I am a sinner, I know that I have sinned; but I cannot understand what you mean by saying that I am a lost sinner—a ruined sinner. I am not lost! I am not ruined! as you say.”
“Well, I know that you are not finally lost, or you would not be here. Bless God for that mercy. But if you are not lost, you can have nothing to do with the Saviour; for He has come to ‘seek and to save that which was lost.’ And if you are not dead in sin, what do you want with Christ? He is the eternal life of God to dead souls. You can have nothing to say to Him whatever, until you have learned that you are a poor, lost sinner, ‘dead in trespasses and sins.’ ‘He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil......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.
“Quite so; but we are not to take these words literally.”
Such was the language of one who thought he had examined the subject carefully, and had come to a right conclusion. But, alas! how often are man’s conclusions at utter variance with the word of God, even on the most vital subjects.
He was quite sincere, I have no doubt; but more is wanted than sincerity. He did not understand the scriptural meaning of the expression, “lost,” as applied to his own condition. And many, doubtless, are in precisely the same state of mind, though they may not be aware of it, or express it so boldly.
This foundation truth is plainly taught all through the Scriptures, from Adam downwards. The first announcement of it was made in the garden of Eden, when the Lord said, “Adam......where art thou?” Man was now lost, and God, in grace, was seeking him.
But in the third chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, we have the summing up of the whole of the evidence, by the Spirit of truth, as to man’s real condition and character, and solemn judgment is given thereon. “There is none righteous; no, not one. There is none that understandeth; there is none that seeketh after God......there is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know, that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; “that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God.”
Hence the gospel addresses man as a lost sinner, and only as such. It speaks of divine love going out to seek the LOST sheep—searching for the LOST piece of silver, and embracing, with an affection that knows no change, the LOST prodigal son. And oh, wondrous truth! none but once-lost children ever know, or ever taste, the sweetness of this unchanging love. It is only on the neck of the lost one found that the Father falls—embraces and kisses his son. The elder brother was a stranger to all this kind of affection, joy, and gladness, and it is the only sort that will ever break our hearts.
In the Psalm at the head of this paper, these truths are blessedly brought out, namely, that man is wholly ruined in himself; but in the mercy of God he has an unfailing resource.
Three things are here stated as to man. 1. He is “foolish.” 2. A “worker of iniquity.” 3. “Deceitful.” Take the first only for the present. “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight.” Oh! who could say, in the searching light of this word, “I am not lost! I am not ruined?” Who can say they have never been foolish? “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child.” And, “The thought of foolishness is sin.” (Pro. 22:15; 24:915Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)
9The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. (Proverbs 24:9).) Oh! where is the son or daughter of Adam who is not condemned by this scripture? “The thought of foolishness is sin.” Well may we say with the Psalmist, “Enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.” Psalm 143:22And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. (Psalm 143:2).
When, as a divinely-convicted sinner, I read such words as these, I may well ask, “How am I to come near to God, who cannot look upon sin? The answer is as clear and simple as the gospel can make it. “As for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy.” (Ver. 7.) Here is the answer. It speaks of mercy, the mercy of God; and that is infinite. Through grace, I turn to Him in the name of Jesus. Now I see that, ruined as I am in myself, GOD IS FOR ME. It is not in the multitude of my good works, good feelings, or sincere endeavors. No; it is only “in the multitude of thy mercy. This is lost man’s only hope. He can only enter by the door of mercy; and that door, blessed be God, stands wide open, night and day, for the chief of sinners. Divine mercy has laid the foundation of his approach to God in the Person and work of Jesus; and has come down to all his need as a helpless sinner.
Nor is this all. There is far more. “Lead me, Ο Lord, in THY righteousness, because of mine enemies.” (Ver. 8.) No righteousness of our own would do, either in the presence of God, or in the presence of enemies. But God, in infinite mercy, has not only come down to the depths of my ruin, and met all my need there; but He has raised me up out of it all, and set me in the condition of divine and everlasting righteousness in His own presence. So that every enemy is silenced and silenced forever. Christ is my righteousness. Having put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, He has gone up to the Father as the righteous One—“Jesus Christ the righteous.” This is a deeply blessed truth. The righteousness in which the believer stands before God is Christ Himself. He is “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Who of God is made unto us.........righteousness.” “And we are made the righteousness of God in Him,” God must have righteousness. No sinner ever stood, or can stand, in His holy presence, except in His righteousness. This righteousness is revealed to faith in the gospel. The law required righteousness, the gospel provides it. It is now made known— manifested. Those who have faith in Jesus have the righteousness of God. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference.” Rom. 3:21, 2621But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (Romans 3:21)
26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26).
This settles every question, removes every fear, and shuts the mouth of every enemy. Christ has answered to God for all that we are, and all that we have done as sinners; and as our risen, living Head, He is in the presence of God for us, and we are there, always there, in Him. My foolishness cannot stand in God’s presence, but His righteousness can. “And the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
But there is more than even this. Being the subject of divine mercy, which has come down to such a depth, and being clothed in divine righteousness, which brings me up to such a height, I have got to walk down here amid the thorns and briers of the wilderness.
What do I want for this? “Make THY way straight before my face.” (Ver. 8.) This makes all plain. There is no doubt, no darkness, no uncertainty, in God’s way. Oh! for a single eye, a body full of light, and a straight path.
Is there, can there be, anything more for the once-lost soul that has been brought to the “Father of mercies” through faith in Jesus? Ο yes, blessed be His name, there is. He accompanies the child of mercy with the joy, favor, blessing, and protection of His presence, all his journey through. “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice; let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.” Ver. 11, 12.
Such are mercy’s boundless stores for every poor bankrupt sinner who believes in Jesus, and rests in Him alone.
He feeds on the riches of divine mercy.
He is clothed in divine righteousness.
He walks in divinely made paths.
He is refreshed and strengthened with divine joy.
He basks in the sunshine of divine blessing.
He reposes behind the shield of divine favor.
And now, may I ask, does my reader possess and enjoy this wealthy portion? It is all open to faith. The unsearchable riches of Christ are thrown open to the believer. If, then, you have faith in Him, “all things are yours.” This is the pilgrim’s portion now —his wilderness fare; very different, you wall say, from perishing with hunger in a foreign land. Yes, these are his journeying mercies. And oh, sweet hope! “A little while” and the desert will be crossed, the Jordan passed; and then his place and portion will be “present with the Lord;” cloudless glory, full victory, and everlasting peace. “COME, LORD JESUS, COME QUICKLY.”
“As debtors to mercy alone,
Of heavenly mercy we sing;
Nor fear, with His righteousness on.
Our persons and offerings to bring.
The wrath of a sin-hating God
With us can have nothing to do;
Our Saviour’s obedience and blood
Hide all our transgressions from view.”