AS large numbers of the Gospel Messenger are being circulated in the training camps, and are also being sent to the front, for the benefit of the men engaged, or to be engaged, in the tremendous struggle now going on, I am anxious that in this present number of the Magazine, which will, no doubt, find its way amongst the combatants, there may be a very plain statement of the Gospel―one which may so present the way of salvation that many a troubled, weary, guilty soul may find peace with God, and the full assurance of faith.
To begin with, the Gospel means “Good News!” Keep that fact in mind. It tells of the love of God for men guilty and undone. It speaks of the atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the gracious power of the Spirit. It announces the thrice-blessed truth that, while God must punish sin according to the holiness of His throne, yet He has “no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” He has thrown the gates of heaven open to all who turn to Him in repentance.
Again I say that the Gospel is “Good News.”
The Law was bad news for the sinner, because it commanded him to do that which he never could do; and therefore fulfilled the purpose for which it was given, viz., to show man his guilt and powerlessness, but not to save or bless him. It was ‘dead against him.
For what is the Law? It is the principle of works.
“The Law which shows the sinner’s guilt
Condemns him to his face.”
Now, do you think that you could work your way into the presence of God? Suppose that you began the effort today, and did your very best for the rest of your life, long or short, do you think that your list of good deeds, done in the future, could make amends for the bad deeds of the past? Impossible!
“Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy Law’s demands.”
A mirror may show your spots, but cannot remove them. Nor can the Law, nor the principle of doing your best, nor living up to what your conscience may dictate, nor the turning over a new leaf, nor becoming outwardly religious by merely joining church, chapel, or meeting, put you in possession of salvation. If so, Christ need not have died.
No, my friend; but thank God: “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)). “Bring us to God.” How complete, how perfect, how intelligible! That is Gospel, that is good news of the dearest and most precious kind.
How is the believing sinner brought to God? By the glorious fact that “Christ once suffered for sins.” Is that enough?
“It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.”
Is that all?
If I pay your debt in full does your creditor dream of claiming anything further? Surely not. Then, if your creditor is satisfied, you may well be the same.
Ah! but must I not feel something? Well, what would you like to feel? I should suggest only intense gratitude to the friend who, at such cost, paid the debt. Gratitude is the spring of worship! Then what produces the feeling of gratitude?
The acceptance by faith of that which He has done, the payment He has made! Faith is the link, not feelings, nor works. Then must I not work?
“I dare not work my soul to save,
That work my Lord hath done,
But I would work like any slave
From love to God’s dear Son.”
This is Gospel indeed, and so divinely simple. It makes you a debtor to grace, where the only possible return is your whole life gladly surrendered to God. It is liberty And it is just this which makes salvation attainable at once.
Hence we read: “By grace are ye saved through faith” (Eph. 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)). How unspeakably happy to become at once, here and now, the possessor of Salvation! Can it be?
I remember in my young days forming this resolution, that, ten minutes before I was called to die, I would repent of my sins and cast myself on the mercy of God. I did not then see what better I could do, for I did not know the Gospel.
Ten minutes before death! Not very satisfactory, because, thought I, if a bullet should pierce my heart on a battlefield, I should not have the ten minutes for preparation.
That plan was of no use!
What instead? I took God’s way, and came like the prodigal of Luke 15, in my sins and vileness, and was met by a kiss, and a robe of righteousness, and a welcome to all the joys of the Father’s love. “They began to be merry.”
That is the Gospel of a truth. There is no other. Friend, come to the Lord as you are, AND NOW.
J. W. S.