How many professing Christians do we meet who have no real enjoyment of the certainty of their salvation, and peace with God! This uncertainty marks the condition of such widely different classes: the multitude devoted to ritualistic practices; then the great crowd who merely attend this place, or that, for fashion’s sake; then others constantly occupied with their feelings; others well-read and familiar with dry doctrines. Yet all alike are sadly uncertain as to their personal interest in Christ. We would press this question home to the readers heart: Are you right with God? Do not, for a moment, suppose that no one can have this assurance before the day of judgment. We only need to read the epistles to see that this assurance was the enjoyed privilege of all who believed God.
No, the gospel of God is not concerning sacraments and ceremonies, or doings and feelings, but concerning His Son. And thus the Apostle preached in Thessalonica: “Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ” (Acts 17:33Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (Acts 17:3)). Now concerning those who believed, the Apostle says: “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance” (1 Thess. 1:4-54Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:4‑5)). Was there anything peculiar in the way in which they believed this preaching? There was. The Apostle says, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thess. 2:1313For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13)).
No Other Means
There was no other means by which God could be righteous in forgiving sins, but through the atoning death of Christ. Here in this gospel Christ is set before you. He must needs suffer. He has suffered. It is finished.
And now more than this: man is so utterly lost and ruined in sin, that there must be a new creation—a last Adam—Christ risen from among the dead, the beginning of the creation of God. He must needs have not only made reconciliation for sins by His suffering and death; but there was the need of His resurrection from the dead. He has been both delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification. And, believing God, we are justified, that is, accounted righteous. What gives assurance is this, that this salvation is wholly of God. It is the righteousness of God in justifying us by the death and resurrection of Christ. It was so with these young believers. They believed God; that Jesus must needs suffer, must die for their sins, the Just for the unjust. This precious Christ in resurrection they had received— “Jesus whom I preach unto you, is Christ.”
Much Assurance
Is it not evident that, receiving all this as the word of God, not as the word of man, they must have much assurance? Is it not also equally evident that, if you have not the same assurance of your salvation, and that wholly of God, you have not received the truth of the gospel as of God?
You do not yet consider your case so bad that you must lay aside every fond hope of improvement by Ritualism, by your doings or feelings, and accept the testimony of God, to the absolute need of the death of Jesus. “Through Jesus is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things.” Perhaps we say, “It must not be through Jesus alone. It must be partly through myself, my prayers, my tears, my fastings, my feelings, my doings.” Ah, this was not the gospel of God preached at Thessalonica. No, it was Christ; Christ once dead, now alive again. They were also “turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
Doing and Feeling
Now is not the effect of dependence on our doings and feelings the exact opposite of all this? Instead of being turned to God from idols, men are fast turning from God to idols. Others, trusting in feelings, instead of Christ. And others will ever pray, “In the day of judgment, good Lord, deliver us.” What a fatal mistake! If not washed now in the blood of the Lamb, it will be forever too late then. “There remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:2626For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (Hebrews 10:26)).
Yes, the effect is truly wonderful when the heart is opened to receive the word of God. Most certain is it, if He imputes our sins to us, we are forever lost. Do not say, then, I do not know what to do to be right with God. All was done long ago. It is finished; Jesus has said it. God has accepted the atoning sacrifice. Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation [or judgment]; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
Is there anything so important, or so blessed as to believe God? To know Him, whom to know is life eternal? Remember, it is all done. He who has said, “It is finished” shows His hands and His side, and says, “Peace unto you.” What peace! Peace made by His blood, peace with God; rest in God for evermore. To Him be all praise!
Things New and Old, Vol. 22 (adapted)