So thoroughly is the thought engrafted in the human mind, that salvation is on the ground of our works, that it is not an uncommon thing to find persona suddenly aroused to the sense of the terrible mistake they have been under for years, in supposing that they would ultimately obtain salvation on the predominance of their good works over the bad. Some time ago a person said to the writer, “I thought, sir, till lately, that I had a great deal to do; but now I see it is all done for me.” She saw that Jesus by His death upon the cross had saved her. She, therefore, had peace with God at once―rest of conscience, because she saw that God had settled the question of sin for her in Christ. Lately we heard of a person, who was awakened to the need of salvation, making the inquiry, “What must I do first?” It is natural to us all to think so highly of ourselves, as to judge that we are competent to work out a righteousness for ourselves sufficiently pure to merit salvation. But the gospel speaks of an already accomplished work for the salvation of sinners in the cross of Christ; yes, for helpless, sinful persons at enmity with God, whose minds are not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. This is how Scripture puts it. So that God is not now improving man in the flesh, mending up what sin has done, but He publishes the fact that He has accomplished salvation for the lost, that He gives eternal life to whosoever believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. So that if a person says, “What must I do first?” our answer is, You have nothing to do; for
“Jesus did it, did it all,
Long, long ago.”
Bow, then, to God’s verdict, that you are guilty before Him, that you cannot make yourself fit for His holy presence, that you are by nature a child of wrath, and by practice a great transgressor in His sight. I say, bow to God’s truth about yourself. You will then see that you are weak, sinful, lost―yes, LOST! incurably bad and LOST! and also that Jesus Christ the Son of God came into the world to save the lost, and that He did accomplish eternal redemption for all those who believe on His name. The question, then, is not what you must do first; but, Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you accepted Him as your Saviour? Can you, do you, rest in His finished work upon the cross for your eternal salvation? Have you received God’s word as truth which testifies to the all-cleansing power of the blood of the cross, and that tells you that you are now―yes, NOW, justified by His blood on believing? that by Christ “all that believe are justified from all things from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses?” If so, you have peace with God, you are His child, you desire, from grateful love, to serve and honor Christ, and when He comes you will be caught up to meet Him in the air, and be with Him and like Him forever.
“Endless praises to the Lord,
Ever be His name adored!
Hallelujah!
He is worthy―praise His name!”