THE question here raised is one of deep, personal importance to the sinner, namely, that of salvation. " Lord, are there few that be saved?" The Lord Jesus had spoken of the certainty of coming judgments on impenitent sinners, and on mere professors in the kingdom, however flourishing in appearance: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:18, 19, 1-1018Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. (Luke 13:18‑19)
1There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 6He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. 10And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. (Luke 13:1‑10).) This is truly solemn as coming from the lips of their own Messiah. " Ye shall." If impenitency and mere formality be persisted in, there is no hope for the future: the soul must " perish." What a dreadful thought is conveyed by that dreadful word " perish." It means all is lost-forever lost! the soul perished, hope perished, all forever perished, body, soul, and spirit, in the place of woe. Oh! that careless sinners and mere professors would think on such things now, ere it be too late-ere the Master be risen up, and the door shut.
It is to such the gospel is preached, and preached by the same Jesus. " God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).) Here the mere worldling is represented as perishing, but not yet perished. Glorious gospel! It perfectly meets the case; only listen to its voice, and believe its message of love, to thee, 0, perishing sinner. God loves the sinner; Christ died for the sinner-whosoever believes it, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. " God commendeth 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).) Thus saith the word of the Lord!
The question here put, " Lord, are there few that be saved?" seems to be a merely curious or idle question, on the part of the one that asked it; such as unconverted men will sometimes ask about the doctrine of election. But the Lord, in His usual way, so answered it as to turn it into a serious one. What a lesson for us! He replied, so as to meet, not the question, but the real state of the man's soul. As if the Lord said, Few or many, do you " strive to enter in at the strait gate." That is your personal, all-important matter. " For many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are; then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity."
Surely this is a solemn and searching reply, and well fitted to turn the curious into an anxious inquirer. The Lord, in His rich mercy, grant that it may do so in the case of all into whose hands this paper may fall. There are many who are still merely curious inquirers, whom we desire to see deeply anxious and earnest ones. Surely the salvation of the soul is of all others the most personal matter possible. The door is still open-the invitation is to all: " Come, for all things are now ready." Enter while there is room. The Master is patiently waiting; oh, delay not! " Strive to enter in at the strait gate."
The connection, and strict interpretation, of this passage refer to the Jews. Christ was speaking to Jews, and of their then present privileges and future miseries, because they were rejecting Him He plainly showed them, that although their privileges had been great, such as eating and drinking in His presence, and hearing Him preach the gospel in their streets, still there was no salvation for them, and no entering the kingdom, while they refused to own Himself, to receive Him as the true Messiah, and the only Savior of sinners. He would at last say, " I know you not whence ye are; depart from me all ye workers of iniquity." Observe, He does not deny that they enjoyed great privileges; but He repeats this awfully solemn truth, "I know you not whence ye are." They had never made themselves known to Him They had never come to Himself, individually, as sinners to a Savior. They knew their privileges, and boasted in them, but they refused Christ. " 0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not." Christ Himself was rejected. Israel would have none of Him. Therefore they were left desolate, like chickens without the sheltering wing, and the " fox " in the midst of them. Oh, what a picture of utter helplessness and certain destruction!
But although this portion of scripture, strictly speaking, refers to the Jews, it has, nevertheless, a most solemn voice to us. And, morally, it strikingly illustrates our own present position, we can only enter in at the strait gate by faith in Him who died and rose again. It is too strait for self in any form.
Let us now look at the subject in its application to our own time.
When Christ had finished the great work of redemption on the cross, He ascended up on high, and sat down at the right hand of God in heaven. His work being finished, He sat down. " When he had by himself purged our sins, he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Heb. 1:33Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3).) The sacrifice for sinners was offered and accepted, by which their need was fully met. God was glorified. The rights of His throne were vindicated by the blood of the sacrifice sprinkled on the mercy-seat. All the perfections of His character were displayed in their full glory, and the principles of His moral government maintained. All being done,-perfectly, and forever done-the door of mercy is thrown wide open to the chief of sinners. The way into the holiest of all is made manifest. And the voice of gracious invitation goes forth into all the world-to every creature-whosoever will let him come and drink at the fountain of the water of life freely-gratis. God is free to receive to Himself, and pardon with overflowing love, all who come to Him by faith in the finished work of His dear Son. Thus we have, glory be to God, at the present moment,