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. 3:20). Listen to the word of God (Psa. 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. 3:9-20). 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. 1:18). 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. 5:20).
“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. 4:24).
“Being now justified by his blood” (Rom. 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.