“WHAT is the difference between you and me? “a lady once asked me,” I believe in Christ, I believe every word in the Bible and yet I know there is a difference.”
“Is it not,” I asked, “that you believe in Christ as you do in Julius Caesar, or in any other historical personage? but I trust Him wholly, for time and for eternity.”
“Yes,” she said, “I think that is it.”
Twenty years have passed away and I have never seen her since; I can only hope that she too, has learned to trust herself wholly to the Lord Jesus Christ.
We might divide people into these two classes, those who trust Christ and those who do not. The great apostle Paul bonged to that first class, he puts himself among those who “first trusted in Christ,” and in his wonderful letter to the saints at Ephesus he puts them into the same place, saying to them “In whom ye also trusted” (Eph. 1:12, 1312That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:12‑13)).
Some have objected that this is too easy a way of salvation, that it is necessary to do what we can to keep the law, to lead a good life, etc. But this objection arises from not understanding the ways of God.
My reader has perhaps heard his Christian teachers speak of dispensations, and possibly, has no very clear idea of the meaning and use of the word in the Scriptures. Shall we change this long word into very simple words which may convey the meaning to us? and say, the house-law or the law of the house. We understand in earthly things that there must be the rule of a house, the house without rule or law is a house in confusion. A dispensation then is the law of the house for the time then present, the rule to which God has put man under obedience.
The first, I need hardly say, was the garden of Eden, and the rule or law was that Adam was to keep the garden and dress it, but not to eat of one tree.
Again, to Noah, just emerged from the ark after the flood, the command was to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, and the fear and dread of him was to be upon every beast, every fowl, and upon all fishes.
Israel was given a law which was, as the apostle Paul tells us, “holy, just and good,” with God as their King. Then later, when they desired a king another dispensation was ushered in, and a kingdom was established, three very simple rules being given to the king.
The result is, alas I too well known. Adam ate of the tree; Noah could not rule himself; Israel broke the law before the tables of stone containing it reached them; Solomon, the king, in all his glory, proceeded to break all three rules as quickly as possible.
What can be done with such rebellious people? God, in His great love, has brought in a new dispensation of which the one simple rule is that we should TRUST CHRIST, and yield allegiance to Him. Can it be supposed that God will go back to the dispensations which have passed away and permit man to try again any of the ways in which he has so utterly broken down? Impossible.
To bring in this new dispensation the Lord Jesus died on the cross and forever settled the question of sin and rebellion for those who trust Him. It has been well said, God has made the way so simple for the one who trusts, but to do this it cost the Son of God The suffering and shame of Calvary. Who will dare to add ought to such a work as this? Surely the only answer to Him is loving adoration, heartfelt trust, unquestioning obedience.
To trust Christ is, as we have seen, the beginning of the Christian life—to trust Christ is the unfailing resource for the Christian path in how many blessed ways has He revealed Himself. Are we sad at heart because the way is long and difficult?
Are we doubting and distressed because the best and wisest men do not agree in their opinions and teaching? do we long for one to teach us the way of God? He alone meets this need saying, “I, your Lord and Master [or Teacher]” (John 13:1414If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. (John 13:14)).
Are our hearts troubled in any way from any cause? He draws near and says, “Let not your heart be troubled, ... I will come again, ... I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:1, 2, 61Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:1‑2)
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)). Yea, He is all these and much more—the Son over God’s house, the Son who came to reveal the Father, and to introduce us into His Father’s house, for our present joy and to be our eternal dwelling place.
Someone reading these simple thoughts may say “Yes, it is all very well, but He is gone so far away.” He has anticipated this also and has sent down that other Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to dwell in our hearts, and to bring Him to us, and us to Him in blessed and abiding “remembrance” (John 14:2626But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)).
L. R.