Is there a yawning gulf between you and these words of the Lord? Is “your way of life” so distressing that you say "If there is a God, he does not care for me!" How does this come to be? Let's look back! This has been your history has it not? "All we like sheep have gone astray" Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6) "There is none that seeketh after God" Rom. 3:1111There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (Romans 3:11). "As they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient" Rom. 1:2828And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Romans 1:28). At the root of the trouble has lain the desire to get away from God, from His gospel, from His word and witnesses, and to walk "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." Eph. 2:22Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Ephesians 2:2). "Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil" John 3:1919And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19).
While in health and strength you have pursued this way, what have you done with your conscience crying out against you?—stifled it! What have you done with the Bible? "Cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire." Jer. 36:2323And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. (Jeremiah 36:23). What have you said to God's Holy Spirit pleading with you to repent? Have not your words been—"Depart from us for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways." Job 21:1414Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. (Job 21:14). Well "God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7). What saith the scripture? "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you, that He will not hear." Isa. 59:22But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2).
And then God is blamed for your adversity! "Ye say the way of the Lord is not equal," but God replies—"Is not my way equal? Are not your ways unequal?" Ezek. 18:2525Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? (Ezekiel 18:25). But just here it is God holds out to you a mighty helping hand. "He hath showed strength with His arm." Luke 1:5151He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. (Luke 1:51). "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him: and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55:77Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:7). "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Prov. 28:1313He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13). "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." Isa. 1:1818Come 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. (Isaiah 1:18).
The case is thus: God loves the sinner, but He hates his sins. "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee." Psa. 5:44For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. (Psalm 5:4). You must part with your sins if you are to dwell with God. If you don't, where do you expect to be with them in eternity? The Bible says: "The wicked shall be turned into Hell." Psa. 9:1717The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. (Psalm 9:17).
“But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." Psa. 130:44But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. (Psalm 130:4), and "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7). Yes indeed! "Through His blood!" "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1st John 1:77The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (John 1:7) "Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (mercy seat) through faith in His blood". Rom. 3:2525Whom 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; (Romans 3:25) "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." Lev. 17:1111For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11). That precious life of the Son of God, He laid upon the altar of sacrifice for your sin and mine. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree." 1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24) "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15) "Neither is there salvation in any other". Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).
This is what our Savior God has done for you—(if you will bow to the gospel and believe it) "The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all". Isa. 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6) "He spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all". (Rom. 8:3232He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)). "Payment God will not twice demand, first at my bleeding surety's hand, and then again at mine." "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins". 1 John 4:1010Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)
WARNING!! "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace?" Heb. 10:28-2928He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:28‑29) "Because I have called, and ye refused.... but ye have set at naught all my counsel.... I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh". Prov. 1:24,25,2624Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; (Proverbs 1:24‑26). "Woe unto him that striveth with his maker". Isa. 45:99Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? (Isaiah 45:9).
“PROVE ME NOW"—"saith the Lord.”
We began with this—and now return to it. "He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true." John 3:3333He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. (John 3:33) The best thing you can do is believe it! Settle the question of your sins—the first and most important question in your life. Go to God about them. "Who can forgive sins but God alone." Luke 5:2121And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? (Luke 5:21) Remember that He can forgive them only because "CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY". Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6) because "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" 1 Peter 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).
"No wrath God's heart retaineth
To us-ward who believe;
No dread in ours remaineth
As we His love receive;
Returning sons he kisses,
And with His robe invests,
His perfect love dismisses
All terror from our breasts.”
“Eternal glory"—yes—and what of this life now with its daily cares and necessities? "Having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come". 1 Tim. 4:88For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (1 Timothy 4:8) "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus". Phil. 4:1919But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19). God will send you a blessing, both earthly and spiritual, "that there shall not be room enough to receive it". Mal. 3:1010Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:10) "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God". Rom. 8:2828And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Ah! Do you love God? "We love Him because He first loved us". 1 John 4:1919We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
Finally, a word of grace to you dear reader, from the writer, redeemed by "the precious blood of Christ," 1 Peter 1:1919But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:19)—(a Christian for more than half a century). "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God". 2 Cor. 5:2020Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
"In peace let me resign my breath
And Thy salvation see -
My sins deserve eternal death,
But Jesus died for me.”
T.M.
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