I have lived a great part of my life in India; and fifty years or so ago, I was traveling in that country. Railways were only just being constructed, and the trains were very few. I had been to see a Christian brother, and was going to pay a visit somewhere else; and the trains were, as I remember, only about two a day. So: one was very careful not to be behind-hand, and miss the train. We had some distance to go to the station, and got there half an hour before time; so we were walking up and down the platform, talking together. The wall was simply covered with advertisements, and one thing they all had in common. Those who would read them were in the special circumstances of travelers; and whatever might be needed for a journey, there was someone ready to supply it. I could see no notice to tell of a theater, or of a fine band playing in a public park; that was no use to a person going on a journey. Journeys then sometimes took more than two days, and if you found you had forgotten anything, there was a notice of someone ready to help you.
It was evening as we walked up and down, and the gas was lighted. And one gas jet. seemed to bring out one notice in dearness. While the whole of that station wall was covered with various. notices, that gas jet seemed to illumine one particular notice, as if conscious it was of great importance for any traveler going. on that journey. We stood still and read it. GOD COMMENDETEL HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US. (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)).
It was wonderful that I should see there, amid these other notices, written and prepared by men who were ready to meet the travelers’ need, that GOD was thinking of the needs of these people passing on this journey not only from one local place to another but also on a far more important journey; from time to eternity. Yet I wonder how many who read that notice paid much attention to it, and recognized the wondrous grace and condescension of God to take up a space on that station wall, in order to remind some careless traveler of the welfare of his immortal soul.
Well now, my friends, we are all going on that journey from time. to eternity; a journey that will bring every one of us into the presence of God; and at the end of that journey every one of us shall give an account of himself to God. Do not forget it. Satan attempts to delude men from that end; but each one individually will have to give account to God as to how he has been occupying himself on this journey.
And not only so, but we have a need, and He has thought of that need, and knows it can never be met by any effort of our own.
I was looking out of the window, and the wind carried off my hat. Ah, here is a man who supplies a hat, and my need is met. But no man can satisfy my need as a responsible person. who has to give an account to God. And you cannot meet this need yourself; yet you must give account. How can it be met? God says, I HAVE MET THAT NEED. “God commendeth His own love.” That God is One Who loves you, and sees your helpless condition: “God commendeth His own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,” not having improved or reformed, but just as we are, “Christ died for us.” God was speaking that word, fifty years ago, in that station building, and He is speaking that word now, for it is to YOU, individually and personally.
You know what it is to go to a tradesman, and he says, “I have not got exactly what you ask for, but I have something better”; and he seeks to press home to you all the advantages of the article he wants you to accept. God wants you to accept His love, His own love. It is not a question of this love being better than some other; but it is a love peculiar to God, and only to be found in the heart of God. And if, so be God has exercised your conscience, and opened your heart to believe His Word that you are a sinner, you will soon find out there is no love for a sinner anywhere else comparable to the love of God. And the more you have found yourself a lost sinner, the more welcome is the announcement, “Here is something I have provided that will meet you in your need. This is love, My love for you; and in My love I have provided a Saviour for you.”
When Adam, in the garden, knew himself a sinner who had transgressed the commandment of God, he hid himself when he heard the voice of the Lord God, because he knew not the love of God, and God had not proved it. But God comes to you and me saying, “I have proved My love: Christ has died for you.” Do you believe it? Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the One Who died for you?
I am going to stand in the presence of God, and shall give account to Him as to One Whose heart is only filled with love to me, and Who proved that love when I was only a sinner. Then, just as I was, He sent His Son to die for me. When I have to tell it all out I shall wind it all up by thanking God for His own love Who sent His Son and has forgiven all my sins.
But God is saying something more. “Much more then, being now justified by His blood” (v. 9). Now justified through the blood of Jesus then what is the end of the journey? We “shall be saved from wrath through Him.” There IS WRATH TO COME. The one that has refused the gift of God’s love, when standing before God, will have to hear His righteous pronouncement of eternal destruction from His presence; but “being now justified by His blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
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