The Good Samaritan as he journeyed came to the man who had fallen among thieves-just where he was. So Jesus, the Savior of sinners, comes to sinners just where we are. He asks no one to do better-to feel better-to be better. He asks none to give up this sin or that sin, to love God or their neighbor.
We need our conscience and heart to be set at rest, for we feel guilty, miserable and wounded. He heals us perfectly and permanently: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:55But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)).
There is nothing which hinders souls more than the idea that the addict must overcome his addiction, the thief must become an honest man, or the lover of this world must become a lover of God before Christ will save us. Every sinner must learn that we have already done what certainly excludes us from the presence of a holy God, and we are already, AS WE ARE and WHERE WE ARE, under condemnation.
We must learn that nothing that we can possibly do can at all deliver us from this position. To tell us who are in this helpless case to be a better person or lead a better life is offering only a false hope. Nothing but what the Son of God has done for our deliverance can possibly help us. Jesus died for sinners; He “receiveth sinners,” when we confess ourselves such from our heart.
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). Everything which secured salvation for all who repent of their sins is already done and has been done since Jesus said, “It is finished.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”