IN speaking to souls upon the question of how they are to obtain a righteousness that will fit them for the presence of God, one often meets with such replies as, “I am doing the best I can,” “I’m trying,” or, “I keep on praying.” Maybe, some reader of these lines is on the same tack. But where, let me ask you, does it tell you in the Scripture to do, and try, and pray for it? I think I hear someone replying, “Well, but we must try to do our best, and we can’t expect to get it if we don’t pray.” My dear friend, though prayer is perfectly right of course in its place, a distinct sign of a new-born soul, and we cannot do too much to please God when we are saved, yet, if an unconverted sinner were to pray twelve hours out of the twenty-four, from year’s end to year’s end, try with all his might and main, and do the very best he can, he will be as far off the righteousness of God this time next year, as he was this time last.
Righteousness is not obtained by doing, trying, praying, but by faith. It is a free gift. God is the giver, and the sinner the receiver. It is never bestowed upon the ground of our merits, but was obtained for us by the finished work of Christ. The Word of God distinctly witnesses to this.
Let me tell you of a true circumstance by way of illustration.
A certain person went into a tailor’s shop, and ordered a suit of clothes for a young man. Having chosen the cloth, the bill was made out, and the clothes paid for. The tailor was then instructed to send them to the young man’s address, and to enclose the bill receipted inside. Having the measure, they were soon made, and forwarded to the address given. When the young man came home, and saw the parcel, his first thought was that there was some mistake. But seeing it was distinctly addressed to him, he ventured to open it, finding inside a suit of clothes evidently meant for him. Coming upon the enclosed bill, his thought was, “but I didn’t order them, and I shall have to pay for them. I wonder why they sent them.” But what was his surprise, when he opened the bill, to find that it was receipted. The clothes were paid for, and forwarded as a free gift.
Now what do you think he did? Called to pay for them? No. Sat down and reasoned about them, raising all kinds of difficulties about accepting them? No. Talked about not deserving them? No. Went and begged the tailor to give them to him? No, he did nothing whatever of the kind. But I will tell you what he did do. Like a wise young man, he put them on and wore them, and then went and thanked the donor for the gift.
What could be more simple? The parcel was addressed to him. The written receipt proved without a doubt that they were paid for. He believed it, and he accepted them as a gift, without a question.
And now, dear reader, for the application. God offers you righteousness as a free gift. Romans 5:17. Christ has obtained it for you in dying and rising again. It is addressed to all sinners. You are one, so it must mean you. God’s Word is the written receipt, the proof that it is paid for. All you have to do is to accept it, put it On. When? Now.
How did the young man get the suit of clothes? They were sent as a free gift. And he believed they were for him. There was the written receipt. He read it, and he believed it. How could he doubt it? He accepted the clothes without a question, and put them on.
And now, will you do the same? Will you accept God’s free gift of righteousness? It is the height of folly for you to reason about it; to attempt to pay, or talk about yourself or your deserts, your doing or trying, or anything else. Neither need you to pray to God to give it you, any more than the young man needed to pray to the tailor to give him the suit of clothes. They were paid for, prepared, and sent ready to the young man. The receipt was conclusive as to any misgiving that might arise in his mind. He had nothing whatever to do but to put them on, and wear them, and thank the donor. And that is all you have to do. Well, you say, they are very good terms. They are, and they are God’s terms. Righteousness cost Christ everything, and therefore costs you nothing. It is a free gift. Have you received it? Is it yours? The righteousness of God is unto all, and upon all them that believe. Romans 3:22. Is it on you? The Word of God is conclusive. Do you believe? You do. Then it is on you. God says so. You have a written proof. You are clothed with divine. righteousness in the Presence of God. Go and thank the Donor.
God hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21. E. H. C.