EVERY one living on this earth is either in one or the other of two states. The question as to which of these two states you, dear reader, are in, is most important.
These are given in the 3rd chap. of John’s gospel, which reads thus “He that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already.” One state is “he that believeth,” the other is “he that believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Now this belief is with the heart — “with the heart man believeth,” —and it is not the mere assent of the mind. There are two important facts dependent on these two states “He that believeth on him is not condemned.” How blessed is this! “Not condemned” is a state which is consequent on believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. The ore who believes in Jesus is passed from death unto and shall not come into judgment (or condemnation) for his sins, because they have all been borne by Jesus his Saviour, when He suffered for them on the cross.
But, the other truth is, “he that believeth not is condemned already because he lath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” An awful fact for an unbeliever.
How is it with you, fellow sinner? Is this judgment of God hanging over your head? Do you say “Why is that?” Because “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:2020Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)). Listen to the word of God (Psa. 53:22God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. (Psalm 53:2)): “God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back; they are altogether become filthy there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Are you aware that this scripture is in the word of God, shelving that God has inquired into, so to speak, the real condition of things on earth, and has written His opinion of it? And this too is given three times in that word. (See Psa. 14 and Rom. 3:9-209What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17And the way of peace have they not known: 18There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:9‑20)). Is your opinion of things, God’s? And if it be so with you, what will you do? Because “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Rom. 1:1818For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18)). As we have seen, man is condemned already.
Do not attempt to keep God’s holy law as a means of salvation: you will never keep it.
“By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound” (Rom. 5:2020Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20)).
“But then, what, must I do to be saved?” you may say. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” answers the word of God. “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6). “It (righteousness) shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:2424But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (Romans 4:24)).
“Being now justified by his blood” (Rom. 5:99Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:9)). “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” But “He that believeth is NOT CONDEMNED.”
G. J. S.