We will now briefly consider The Gospel of God, as preached by the apostles.
It is most interesting to observe how exactly the Apostle Paul takes up the gospel as it was promised by the prophets. The passages already quoted from the latter, are sufficient for our present purpose; such as, “My righteousness is near. My salvation is near to come; and my righteousness to be revealed.” Nothing can be clearer, than that these, and all such passages, do not refer to the covenant of Sinai. They are full of the spirit of grace — the grace that announces the righteousness of God in the salvation of the sinner through faith. Both the righteousness and the salvation are directly from God Himself. But we have not now to suppose what may be their true meaning. The apostle tells us that he is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, “for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Here we have salvation and righteousness revealed, as spoken of in the Jewish scriptures. The same line of truth, which has for its foundation the death and resurrection of Christ, frequently occurs throughout the writings of Paul, but especially in his Epistle to the Romans.
The expression “from faith to faith” means, on the principle of faith, in contrast with the principle of law. This, we may say, characterized the apostle’s mission. “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name.” (Ver. 5.) Obedience to the faith, evidently, is in contrast with obedience to the law, as the way of blessing. The name of Christ is now the grand object of faith, and the rule of the believer’s life. The power, value, and authority of the Name of Jesus, have also great prominence in the preaching of Peter in the early chapters of the Acts of the Apostles. There, too, the burden of the preacher, is the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus. All who had faith then, and since, and who have it now, are associated with the risen Christ, and are partakers of the blessings of the gospel of God. But on the other hand, it is said, that the wrath of God is revealed against all who refuse obedience to the name of Jesus, whether they be ungodly Gentiles or unrighteous Jews. All is now seen to be “of God,” whether it be the gospel, salvation, righteousness, or wrath. We are said to be justified by God, not merely before Him. And, “who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” And again, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” This is a great feature of the Epistle to the Romans. God is seen in the foreground, and everything is spoken of as coming from Him.
Man is thus brought, by faith, into the possession of salvation, without adding anything to it. It remains wholly and entirely the salvation of God. And what a mercy it is so! We are saved according to the thoughts of God. All is of God. “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay. but by the law of faith.” (Rom. 3:27.) How perfectly simple the demands how eternally glorious the results, of the gospel of the grace of God!
Let us dwell on this thought for a moment. It is worthy of our closest study. The sin-stricken heart bows at the feet of Jesus. The truth of the gospel has been acting upon his heart in the power of the Holy Ghost. He is convinced of sin, and fears its consequences; he flees for refuge to the blood of Jesus. What can be more simple, or, in a certain sense, more natural? It is simply fleeing from imminent danger. But there God meets the sinner — meets him in His own goodness. And now, what must the results be? Who can speak of the blessing he receives? God’s heart in its depths of goodness is its measure. But who can say what that is? It is soon said, we affirm, and yet it can never he said. That which is due to Christ is made over to the believer, by God Himself, and sealed with the Holy Ghost. “It is God that justifieth.” He acts from Himself, and worthy of Himself. The blood of Christ is on the mercy-seat, and He is free to bless the child of faith according to His own goodness. Every soul that honors that blood, is blessed according to its value in God’s sight. Therefore, the blessing is infinite; and we can only think of it, and speak of it, as nothing short of that which is due to Him who shed His blood for God’s glory, and man’s redemption.
This, dear reader, is the gospel of God — the righteousness of God. Christ so revealed and magnified God by His great work on the cross, and in the whole path of His perfect, blessed obedience up to the cross, that He made Him, as it were, His debtor. Hence the fullness, freeness, and delight of the Father’s heart, to bless all who honor His Son. This is His grand purpose in the gospel — the honor of His Son. (Psalm 89, Matt. 22:1-14.) He knows not, we may say, how much to make of those who honor His Son. This is His love. But God also speaks of this as His righteousness, or His faithfulness to Christ. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just (not merely gracious and merciful) to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Not only do the love and grace of God seek the sinner’s salvation now, but His holiness, righteousness, and truth; in virtue of the work of Christ. Glorious truth! But here, observe, we are not told to pray for the forgiveness of our sins, but to confess them. Scripture is always consistent; and in the light of this passage we must only “confess our sins,” as we could not pray to God to be, faithful and just.” That He will be, —and that He is, in bestowing upon us the love and glory due to Christ. I confess that I know no other ground or measure of blessing for the believer. It is due to the great workman, and God’s appreciation of His work. He has glorified Christ at His own right hand in heaven, and He exalts to the same glory, all who have faith in Him. They are glorified together.
What a light, we may exclaim, this great truth sheds on the work of Christ! What a glory it unfolds, as due to the risen Christ, and to all who are associated with Him. God is glorified — Christ exalted, and His friends are with Him, and as Him, where He is. What perfect blessedness — what perfect happiness! Who would not love, trust, and worship the name of Jesus! The heart is filled with a peace that passeth all understanding. It is perfect rest. Numberless passages in the New Testament, and in the Old, too, are made plain in the light of this precious truth. The Bible becomes a new book. Take the following as an example of what we mean. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.” “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.” 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 10:4; 3:22.
Truly, we may say, this is a glorious gospel — the good news of the glory, and of the righteousness of God! What a privilege to be called of God to preach it! Surely, anything but great plainness of speech, singleness of purpose, and earnestness of heart, in preaching such a gospel, must be wrong — must be a mockery of the sinner’s condition, and an injury to the grace and truth of God. But, alas! preachers are sometimes tempted to think of themselves. There is the temptation to try how nicely the discourse can be arranged, how well delivered, how successful in. arresting the attention of the audience, as with power; but all the while, the poor outside sinner, standing on the slippery brink of hell, not singled out or a word spoken directly to himself. He goes away as ignorant of the way of salvation as he came. It has been all too high, or unsuited for his state of mind. Oh, what must the responsibility of the preacher be! Who can estimate the results of even one occasion of preaching the gospel!
We all know how deeply a congregation may be moved by an earnest heart, and how each one may be reached, even when comparatively little truth is unfolded. Its power must be felt. In illustration of this fact, we may refer to a scene which took place last winter, though it does not, strictly speaking, touch the province of preaching.
A very rough-living mechanic was obliged to drop work, and take to his bed. His constitution gave way under his course of life, though a young man. The Lord blessed the-continued visits of christian friends. He became a completely changed man, and thoroughly happy in the Lord. Shortly before he died, he began to feel a great desire to speak to all his old shop mates and associates in sin. It was not expected that he would live out the day, and as he was so weak, he was advised not to think of it. But no, he felt as if he could not die in peace until he had warned them of their danger. His desire was sent to the shop, and several came. But what a scene — what emotion, now that they are face to face! The dying man was partly raised up from his pillow. His now pallid cheek, sunken eyes, and want of breath, greatly affected the men. Fixing-his eyes on an old familiar face, and in wonderful energy he said, in something like the following words, “Harry, you are to meet me in heaven — I am going to heaven — but, if you are to meet me in heaven, Harry, you must believe on Jesus now. Jesus died for us. We must believe in Him.” This was about the extent of his address; but, with a little rest between, he appealed to each of the men by name, praying and beseeching them, with great fervor and agony of spirit, to give up their sinful ways, believe on Jesus now, and meet him in heaven at last. Soon after this exertion he fell asleep in Jesus, a monument of sovereign grace; but ere long to arise and shine on the plains of glory, as an eternal monument of plain speaking to a plain man.
“Angels rejoice o’er sinners saved,
And heaven with rapture swell,
As tidings rise up to the throne,
That souls are saved from hell.
“Another soul to Jesus born,
And ransomed from the full;
To thee, Ο Lord, the praise we give,
Thou, thou shall have it all.”
We now return to the subject of preaching the gospel in simplicity. What can be simpler than to say, you are lost, but God has so loved us as to give His Son to die for us that we might be saved. He that believeth hath everlasting life. If you have sinned against God, and have not faith in Christ, you are lost. “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” are pointed words from the lips of Jesus Himself. And nothing could be plainer than the words of Peter after the day of Pentecost, or of Paul in the synagogue of Antioch. We forget how ignorant the natural man is of spiritual things, and how difficult it is to make him understand the plainest facts, or feel concerned in view of the most fearful results. Though all alive to that which is earthly, they are dead to that which is heavenly. Who has not felt the difficulty — the heart-breaking difficulty — of getting the heart of man to believe in the all-sufficiency of the work of Christ. Nevertheless, it is worth ail pains and labor to win a soul for Him — to become a fool for Christ, if the great end can be gained. But whichever way it ends, such is the plainness and fullness of the testimony to God’s grace, that all who hear it must he left without excuse. They are responsible. They can no longer occupy a middle place. Henceforth, each one must stand before God, either as
A RECEIVER, OR A REJECTER, OF CHRIST.
This is a solemn consideration for both preachers and hearers. How needful for the preacher to the plain and faithful, that he may be clear from the blood of all men; and how needful for the hearer to see that he neglects not God’s great salvation. For, as the apostle says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Escape, rest assured, oh, thoughtless soul, is impossible! This is a strong way of insisting on the certainty of divine judgment overtaking all who neglect this salvation. And in proportion to the greatness of the salvation that is neglected, must be the greatness of the condemnation that falls on those who neglect it. The very thought of having slighted by indifference, or despised with contempt, so great and glorious a deliverance, must be gall and wormwood to the soul. The following lines are said to have been penned by one in this condition shortly before he died. But, alas! it was the end of a godless life.
“My days are in the yellow leaf,
The flower, the fruit of life is gone,
The worm, the canker, and the grief
Are mine alone.”
How melancholy! What forcible words these are! But what a difference between the death-bed of this highly-gifted nobleman, and the death-bed of the poor mechanic! The one had Christ; the other had the world in its fullness and glory. The one fell asleep in Jesus amidst the shouts of victory, the other died amidst the terrors of an awful eternity.
But now, “why, oh why, my fellow sinner, be indifferent another moment? This nobleman was cut down suddenly in the prime of life. He caught cold, I believe, which brought on inflammation. But nothing could arrest its progress. Oh, why wilt thou die — die the second death? There is eternal life for thee in Christ. Why not accept this choice gift of heaven? Why delay this great business? It ought to be the one business of thy earthly days. Why not now, accept from the hands of love, this priceless treasure—the salvation of thy soul? Jesus died for sinners, and His love is the same to-day as it was the day He died on Calvary. Still He waits, and still He says, “Come unto me............I will give you rest.” And still He affirms, “Him that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out.” Oh! that He may have thy immediate, deep, heartfelt response, “Lord Jesus, I come.” Be assured that all Scripture is clear and strong as to the result of gospel hearing. And that all who do not believe in Jesus, and trust in Him, are classed with the despisers of salvation. There eat! only be but two great results as to the final issue. Neutral ground is unknown in Scripture. There is no half-way house to heaven. It must either be the blessed home above, or the fearful hell beneath — the bright glories on high, or the lake of fire below.
But the word of God decides the solemn question now, as to every gospel hearer. We have not to wait until we reach the judgment-seat. “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.” John 3:18, 19.
And the great apostle, too, when preaching the gospel, applies the solemn warning of the prophet to the unbelieving Jews, then before him. “Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets. Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.” Acts 13:40, 41.
Here, then, we have this solemn truth, in the words of holy Scripture. Each one that crosses the threshold as he leaves the place of preaching, is seen by God, either as a receiver, or a despiser of Christ. There can only be two classes. Most solemn, searching thought! Would to God, cries my soul, that gospel-hearers would lay this to heart! To which class, let me ask, does my dear reader belong? ask thyself, I pray thee, this plain question. All others, to thee, compared with this one, are unimportant. Stay not till another opportunity of preaching comes around. That may never come to thee. Stay not till thou hast laid down this paper, or come to its close. Look to Jesus now — believe in Jesus now — flee to Jesus now — trust the blood of Jesus now — lean all thy weight on the Person of Jesus now; and a full Christ shall be thine — a whole Christ shall be thine. Yes, my dear reader, the Christ of God — the salvation of God — the righteousness of God — the peace of God — the glory of God — thine, thine now, thine through all thy pilgrim days, and thine throughout the countless ages of eternity.
“Farewell, vain world! I’ve had enough of thee;
I long a brighter, better world to see,
I long the happy saints above to join,
I long with them to sing, with them to shine;
I long my Savior’s blessed face to see,
I long to be from sin forever free;
I long to reach my bright, my blest abode,
I long for the embraces of my God;
I long Thy promised rest, Ο Lord, to share,
I long for glory, — when shall I be there
(Continued from page 100)