THE inward thought of many who have been kept from gross manifestations of evil is that they are better than others whose lives openly declare them to be “publicans and sinners "; and, so far as this life is concerned, they are no doubt better members of society, and fulfill their natural obligations with greater propriety and decorum.
But have they any room to boast even before men on this account? How much less before God! Is not much of their outward propriety traceable to education and the influence of favorable circumstances, or of kind and considerate friends?
And, after all, do not the outwardly moral spring from the same sinful stock as the most profligate and profane? Have they not been conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity? (Psa. 51:55Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:5)). PSA 51:55Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:5)Are not their minds at enmity against God? (Rom. 8:77Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7)). ROM 8:77Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7) Have they not sinful hearts, thoughts, and desires; (Gen. 6:5, 8:21; Matt. 12:3434O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Matthew 12:34); Mark 7:21-2321For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:21‑23)). GEN 6:55And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5) GEN 8:2121And the Lord smelled a sweet savor; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. (Genesis 8:21) MAT 12:3434O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Matthew 12:34) MAR 7:21-2321For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:21‑23)
The "natural man" can, no doubt, produce natural fruit in abundance. He can exhibit skill and intelligence in the things of man, and even show kindness and benevolence to his fellow-creature; but he cannot bring forth fruit unto GOD, for “they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom. 8:88So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8)). ROM 8:88So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8)
Cain, the firstborn of Adam, “brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord," but the Lord had not respect unto him, nor to his offering (Gen. 4). GEN 4And why?
Abel, on the other hand, “brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof.
If it were possible, which it is not, for a man to keep the whole law, except in one point, that one offense would be fatal to him (James 2:1010For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:10)). JAM 2:1010For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:10)But not only is man a sinner in practice, but what is worse, he is one by nature; and, as a consequence, cannot bring forth good fruit; for " a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit " (Matt. 7:1717Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Matthew 7:17)). MAT 7:1717Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Matthew 7:17)Hence the necessity of the work of Christ, who “once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God "(1 Peter 3:18). 1 PET 3:18 He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb. 9:2626For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26)). HEB 9:2626For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26)He shed His precious blood "for the remission of sins." He who knew no sin, was made sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). 2 COR 5:21 Having” died unto sin once," and "offered one sacrifice for sins,” and thus put away that which otherwise would have been an impassable barrier to a sinner's entrance into the presence of God, He " was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,” and has" sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high "; the proof to the believing soul that his sins have been put away: for He " was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:2525Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25)). ROM 4:2525Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25)
The question for every soul then is, “What think ye of Christ?” Have you God's thoughts of Him? Are you taught of God to say, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God "? Have you brought the offering of faith, and found acceptance in God's beloved Son? “For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," but the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Acts 4).
The offering of works by man in unbelief cannot find acceptance with God, for how can the Living God own dead works? which are all that a man "dead in trespasses and sins” can produce. No; the acceptance of a sinner is in and through Christ; and as God will not give His glory to another, neither will He share it with him; the glory of our salvation must be all His own. The offerings of Cain and Abel cannot be blended. Salvation must be by Christ alone. Not by Christ and works, but simply and solely by Christ Himself, with-out any addition whatever to His one full and finished work upon the cross; owned and recognized by God, who raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory at His own right hand (1 Peter 1:21). 1 PET 1:21
Have you, then, come to God? If you have, happy are ye; for nothing shall be able to separate you from “the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:3939Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)). ROM 8:3939Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
If you have not come to Him, oh, delay not! but while God's one and only way of salvation is proclaimed, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus find acceptance with God, and blessing in Him forever and ever. Amen.