WHEN the terrible Indian mutiny had been quelled by the prowess of the British soldiers, the disbanded rebels everywhere sought hiding places from the dreaded retribution of the victors.
After a while Her Majesty the Queen graciously proclaimed an amnesty. However, this amnesty was not universal.
There were certain leaders of the revolt to whom no mercy was extended. Excluded by name from the pardon proclaimed to others, these miserable men knew that it was useless to submit and therefore hid themselves in the jungle, and fought desperately to the last.
Sinful man has revolted against his Creator. Instead of executing wrath, God sendeth forth a proclamation of mercy. Unlike the Queen’s amnesty, which was limited, God’s message of grace is unto all. The vilest sinner out of hell need not despair, though his hands are stained with crime, and his whole being is saturated with iniquity.
This may seem past belief, but just listen to these words: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as SCARLET, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like CRIMSON, they shall be as wool.” Remember, too, that the Lord Jesus specially charged His ambassadors to preach this gospel to every creature. The last message Jesus sends to the sinner runs thus: “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)).
The question may be asked, “How can God be just, and yet forgive the offenses of the sinner?” Scripture gives the following simple and definite answer: “Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:24-2624Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:24‑26)).
C. H.