"No more violation of the Fourth Commandment for me!"
So said John Bunyan as he listened one day to a sermon against "Sabbath-breaking." He would obey it henceforward with heart and soul, that he would! When he got home he assured his wife that on this point his mind was thoroughly made up, once for all.
But, alas for human resolutions in natural strength! Bunyan's decision was very transitory. Indeed, before he had well finished his dinner he had shaken the sermon out of his thoughts. His mind was already occupied with the love of old sports. That very afternoon he flung himself, heart and soul, into his favorite game of "tip-cat."
Suddenly, he says, he thought he heard a voice from heaven! He stood stock still for a moment. Then he threw his "cat" upon the ground and left off playing. It is said that the spot can be pointed out now where he stood like a statue, trembling at the demand of that inner voice: "Wilt thou leave thy sins and go to heaven, or have thy sins and go to hell?"
There is little doubt that at this solemn moment John Bunyan thought that to leave his sins-to leave off committing them—was all that was necessary for his soul's security and blessing. Without question, many in this more enlightened day share that thought with him. If they could only leave off sinning for the future, they think their previous history, though full of sin, would practically be eliminated by God, or, to say the least, mercifully passed over. Thus, in reality, REFORMATION is their savior.
Man may say in his heart, "God hath forgotten: He hideth His face; He will never see it; He will not require it!" But God's demand is inexorable, for it is the demand of His own holy, righteous nature. Sin must have its judgment. If John Bunyan's sinful course could have been effectually abandoned that afternoon on the village green, and never more resumed, it would still have left the sins of the past to be brought up against him at the Day of Judgment.
"God requireth that which is past." The sins of yesterday can no more be atoned for by the good deeds of today than one act of treason last year could be wiped out by any number of loyal acts this year.
It is true that, when God's Spirit begins to work in a man's soul, one of the first signs of it is that he as genuinely desires to give up his sins for the future as he earnestly craves forgiveness for the past. Hence the apostle Peter says, "He hath sent Him (Jesus) to bless you, by turning away every one of you from his iniquities." Acts 3:2626Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:26).
Indeed, there would be grave doubt as to the existence of any genuine work in a man's soul if there was not, in some degree, a turning away from his iniquities. But there is a wide difference between being so abhorrent of your ungodly living in the past, that you are determined to run no further into debt, and the just meeting of your past liabilities. And there is as vast a difference between turning from your iniquities and having those iniquities righteously put away from you.
"Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
Naught for sin could e'er atone
But Thy blood, and Thine alone."
"Thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord."
ONLY THE BLOOD OF Jesus and THE BLOOD OF JESUS ONLY, can remove the crimson stain. The only place where sin can be left so that it will never more rise in judgment against one is at the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. The only way to stand forever clear of its damning influences is by being "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).
On the ground of faith in that one Sacrifice once offered, God can now say of every believer: "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Heb. 10:1717And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:17).
So, my friend, I ask: "Where are your sins?"
Is your debt left in the creditor's book against you, or is it under the value of that which has power to cancel it? Are your sins only under the fair garment of a reformed life, or are they completely canceled by the precious blood of Jesus? Where have you left them? Be sure of this, they are either marked by God's eye, or removed from God's memory. Which?
"What can wash away my stains.?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
So that not one spot remains,
NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS."