“WHAT must I do to be saved?" was the intensely earnest question of a really anxious soul, which brought the prompt reply, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." If this meets the eye of one in real concern; one who wants to realize that he has something quite safe to rest on for his soul's eternal welfare, and who is saying "Oh that I may be saved from making a mistake about this question of such tremendous import," allow me to direct your attention to a few scriptures. When the apostle Peter was speaking to the council in Acts 4. about the impotent man who had been made whole, he said, "Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which is set at naught of you builders which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”
Here we have it clearly, solemnly stated that the One whom men crucified, the One whom God raised from the dead; the One who had been made by God the head of the corner; the exalted One, is the only One through whom any poor sinner can be saved; and we want you to see from God's word, which is the only way to get divine certainty, that the Lord Jesus is an all-sufficient Saviour; able and willing to save any and every needy soul that looks to Him. Those that Peter was then addressing were responsible to know what the reference to the 118th Psalm meant-"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." The Lord Jesus, the One who had been testified of by all the prophets, had in God's appointed time been manifested. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil. He ever responded to the faith of any needy soul. There was everything in His life, His testimony, His works to win man's confidence and love; but He was refused and set at naught. Man crucified Him, but in that death God was glorified; atonement for sin was made, and a righteous ground laid for God to graciously save the chief of sinners. Peter tells us in his First Epistle, "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." Jehovah had said to Israel by Isaiah, "Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation stone, a tried stone, a precious stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste." That stone was rejected, but it was beyond the power of Israel to stop the outflow of God's grace. It was well said by the apostle Paul, "Be it known therefore unto you that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”
This blessed foundation, that which God has laid, this absolutely perfect resting place for the soul, which admits of no possibility of failure, is available for you. We say to you in the language of another—
"Venture on Him; venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude;
None but Jesus,
Can do helpless sinners good.”
God now commands all men everywhere to repent, and where there is a bowing to God, that soul may drink in the truth of the gospel in all its blessedness, and find it a healing balm for the wounded conscience. The glad tidings makes no demands; but tells of life and righteousness, joy and peace, pardon and cleansing, security and glory for all who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is accompanied with invitations, invitations, assurances, warnings.
The Lord Jesus said (Matt. 21:4242Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:42)), "Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?... and whosoever shall fall on this stone shall he broken, but on whomsoever it shall fall it shall grind him to powder." The Herodians, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, may each in their turn seek, by falling on Him, to crush Him; but they were always broken. When, however, the time comes for him to deal in judgment, it will be in righteousness and final-ground to powder—lost without remedy—eternal.
J. A. T.