The moment a sinner takes his true place, as one thoroughly lost, guilty and undone—as one who is so bad, that he cannot, possibly, be worse, there is an immediate, a divine settlement of the entire question of sin. The grace of God deals with sinners; and when I know myself to be a sinner, I know myself to be one whom Christ came to save. The more clearly any one can prove me to be a sinner, the more clearly he establishes my title to the love of God, and the work of Christ. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” (1 Pet. 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18).) Now, if I am “unjust,” I am one of those very people for whom Christ died, and I am entitled to all the benefits of His death. “There is not a just man upon earth;” and, inasmuch as I am “upon earth,” it is plain I am “unjust;” and it is equally plain that Christ died for me—that He suffered for my sins. Since, therefore, Christ died for me, it is my happy privilege to enter into the immediate enjoyment of the fruits of His sacrifice. This is as plain as plainness itself. It demands no effort whatsoever. I am not called to be anything but just what I am. I am not called to feel, to experience, to realize anything. The word of God assures me that Christ died for me just as I am; and if He died for me I am as safe as He is Himself. There is nothing against me. Christ met all. He not only suffered for my “sins,” but He “made an end of sin.” He abolished the entire system in which, as a child of the first Adam, I stood, and He has introduced me into a new position, in association with Himself, and there I stand, before God, free from all charge of sin, and all fear of judgment.
Just as I am—without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!