We owe it to the sovereign mercy of God, that there is salvation. It is true we are sinners, and as such, we are condemned, and deserve to perish. We therefore stand in need of salvation: but this is no reason why it should be provided. The fallen angels need salvation as much as we do; and yet none is provided for them: nay, “they are reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day”. Jude 6. But what no man can claim by right, what no man can demand because of his necessity, what no man can merit by his doings or sufferings, that flows from the infinite compassion of “Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His will”.
And in this He is exceedingly glorious in Himself, and in the eyes of all who know him. For what more excellent than love; what more venerable than infinite love; what more precious than infinite sovereign love! “Herein”, says the Apostle, “is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us”. I John 4. 10. The salvation that flows from this source is every way worthy of its Author, and suitable to those for whom it is designed. The glory of it lies in this — it is salvation from sin. Now, sin is infinitely evil; it is so in the judgment of God; and it is thus regarded by all who know it. To most people, it is a very light thing; it gives them little uneasiness, and awakens slight apprehensions. But this is a grievous error — a deep delusion — a fearful corruption. And if men are not delivered from it, the consequences must be unspeakably dreadful. Can a man take fire into his bosom, and not be burned? Can he drink up poison, and not be injured? Can he trifle with sin, and not be damned?” The wages of sin is death”. Rom. 6. 23.
In keeping with this view of the evil of sin, is the method which Divine wisdom has taken to save men from it. The honour of Jehovah’s name must be vindicated; the claims of His justice must be satisfied; the precept of the law must be obeyed, and the penalty of the law endured, ere any of the children of men can be freed from that which is the death of the soul; which robs it of the image of God, shuts out from His favour, and unfits for His service. Now, all this is done by the Lord Jesus Christ, — a person of infinite dignity and matchless excellence, bearing essentially a mysterious relation to the Father, and entering by His Incarnation into a close affinity to His people — the Son of God, and the Son of Man: “Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh”. I Tim. 3. 16. He appeared in the fulness of time in this world, as the Saviour of sinners. He condescended, in their behalf, to step into the place of a law-subject, though in Himself the lawgiver. He rendered to His Father the obedience which it required, though entitled in Himself to demand obedience from His creatures. He became a curse, though the blessed and only Potentate. He died, though the prince of life. By this amazing work did He purchase redemption for His chosen. And in reward of His toils and sufferings, He sat down at the right hand of the majesty in the heavens,” the author of eternal salvation, unto all them that obey Him”. Heb. 5. 9.
But salvation needs to be applied as well as purchased. For men are by nature far from God, and need to be brought nigh to Him; they are destitute of His image, and must have it restored to their souls; they are dead in trespasses and sins, and must be quickened into newness of life. The same love that provided for the purchase, ensures the application. And accordingly, in virtue of the death of Christ, at the instance of His intercession and in connection with the means of grace, the Holy Ghost is given, that men may be born again; made partakers of spiritual life; become the subjects of saving illumination, and awakened to a sense of their guilt and wretchedness, be led to spiritual apprehension of the Lord Jesus, that they may receive Him and look to Him: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa. 45. 22. Now, the gospel brings tidings of this salvation, and the blessings which it involves. We find there set forth in the Scripture, under a variety of metaphors, but all of them most apt and beautiful. Among others, they are compared to waters; because they are designed and fitted to relieve the wants of the soul, and impart to it solid refreshment. The children of men are by nature in a condition very like to that of one who is dying of thirst, with this difference, that he is aware of his destitution, and desirous of that which will cure it.
But they are so blinded by sin, their sensibilities are so deadened, and their hearts so stupified, that though they are in want and wretchedness, they think themselves rich; and though they have secret cravings, they do not perceive what it is that will allay them. The cry therefore, that prevails in the world is “What shall we eat? What shall we drink? Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” The invitations of the gospel break in upon these infatuated creatures, fragrant with the pity and love of Him who sends them out. But the greater part give no heed to the heavenly voice; a few think for a moment of the subject, and then dismiss it, to return, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise! A smaller number appear to be captivated for a while; but the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, the fear of trouble, the love of ease, or the charms of sinful pleasures, drive them away from Him, who would have them take up the cross and follow Him. In many instances, indeed, a profession is made of a reception of the gospel, of faith in Christ, and hope of eternal life: but as such profession has no root of grace in the soul, it brings forth no saving fruit. The storms of this life sometimes blast and destroy it, as, in the case of him of whom the Apostle writes: “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world”, and at other times it may continue to hold its place, a dry and withered thing, till the approach of the Judge and the advance of eternity; and lamps are gone out”. Matt. 25. 8. Nor will it be otherwise with any, until the Lord by His Spirit take a dealing with the soul, awaken it to a sense of sin, and the destitution which it has occasioned, and implant a desire after better things than this world can yield, even the blessings of Christ’s salvation.
The cravings of the old man are all for fleshly things; and no discipline, however gentle and faithfully applied, will alter their nature — “that which is born of the flesh is flesh”, and carnal things alone will gratify its appetite. But where a new nature has been wrought by the Spirit of God, there are desires which can be satisfied only by the water of life — “that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”, and the desires of such are “towards His name, and the remembrance of Him”.
By persons of this description, and by them only, are the calls of the gospel appreciated. For as they are addressed to sinners, guilty, helpless, and hell-deserving, so it is only those that are subjects of a work of grace, that look upon themselves in this light. We have no warrant to limit the invitations of the gospel. The terms in which they run are broad and liberal: “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity: and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at My reproof: behold I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make My words known unto you. Prov. 1. 22 and 23. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely”. Rev. 22. 17. But, however broad and liberal these terms are — and we must not make them other than they are in the word of God, — it is plain from the nature of the case, from the testimony of Holy Scripture, and from the evidence of experience, that none but sinners will care to embrace such invitations. And does not our Lord expressly declare, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”? Matt. 9. 13.
Now, it is just at this point we see the necessity of the work of the Spirit of God in regeneration, and the riches of Divine grace in providing that such a work shall be wrought in any of the children of men. For however large and free the invitations of the gospel are, it is not to honour the grace of God, but utterly to make it void, to suppose that they can take effect on the soul, without the life-giving powers of the Holy Ghost. No doubt men may delude themselves with the idea that they have embraced these invitations, and in the faith of them, have “come to the waters”, though they give no evidence of conversion to God, and perhaps do not even pretend to any such change. But sooner or later they will discover that they have embraced a phantom, and not the Christ of God; and thus sink into endless perdition, when they had hoped to rise to everlasting blessedness. Is there no meaning in our Lord’s solemn words, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. John 3. 3. And if there be, where, in the economy of grace, is the place they hold? Where, if not at the very point of the soul’s closing with Christ in the invitations of the gospel?
The Lord Jesus Christ, as proclaimed in the gospel, is Himself the avenue by which any are to come to the waters: “I am the door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture”. John 10. 9. He is the friend of sinners. He has given ample proofs of His love in laying down His life for them. And now he stands with outstretched arms to receive all who come unto Him. Oh, that sinners would awake to consider this; that they would bethink themselves of their state: that they would lay it to heart, that except they repent they must perish! For if they knew the day of visitation, and did not forsake their own mercies, they would comply with the earnest call that is addressed to them, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found; call ye upon Him, while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isa. 55, 6, 7.
In connection with such calls, and by means of them, are men, through the power of the Holy Ghost, brought to Christ; for “no man can come unto Me except the Father which hath sent Me draw him.” John 6. 44. And in Christ do they find the waters of salvation which refresh the soul. The fall has robbed them of all spiritual excellence; it has shut them out of all true happiness, and stripped them of all real glory. By birth, therefore, in their own nature, and through wicked works, they are needy and perishing creatures. Oh, sinners, look at what you are in the glass of the word, till pride be hid from your eyes, and, affected by the view of your miserable case, you be constrained to cry out, “What must we do?” In Jesus Christ, and in Him alone, can such a question find its proper answer: “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no name given under heaven nor among men whereby we must be saved, but the name of Jesus”. Acts 4. 12. Is the soul parched under a sense of guilt and exposure to the wrath of God? In Christ there is relief; for “this is the name by which he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!” Jer. 23. 6. Is the soul bowed down under manifold corruptions, and the power of indwelling sin? In Christ there is relief; for “He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world”. Gal. 1. 4. Is the soul scorched with the heat of tribulation, or exhausted with the temptations of the devil? In Christ there is relief; for “the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil”. I John 3. 8. Is the soul ready to faint under heavy afflictions, with sorrow of heart because of the state of the world, and still more with the state of the church? In Christ there is relief: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me”. John 14. 1.
The warrant to come to this all-sufficient Saviour is to be found in the invitations of the gospel. A man needs not to wait till he makes himself better; for this is vain, seeing that he is a self-destroyer, and that all his righteousnesses are as filthy rags. He needs not to look that he bring a price in his hands; for he is bidden to buy wine and milk without money, and without price. He needs not to strive to work himself into a frame by which he may recommend himself to the divine Redeemer. Let him see to it that he come as a sinner, confessing his guilt, for “he that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but he that confesseth and forsaketh it shall find mercy”. Prov. 28. 13. Accepting the punishment of his iniquity, and having the sentence of death in himself, he will then find the Saviour’s words made good in his experience, “Him that cometh unto Me I will in nowise cast out”. John 6. 37. Nor let him delay, for delays are dangerous; and in no case so much as here. If convictions are produced, do not stifle them; for, though painful, they are your best friends. Do not, like Felix, say to them, “Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee”, but at once and heartily, yield to them. Beware of resting in convictions, for however sharp and pungent, and however long-continued, they cannot save you. A sense of his guilt could not protect the man-slayer from the avenger of blood: only entrance into the city of refuge could do that. The pain inflicted by the fiery serpents could not heal the wounded Israelite; only a sight of the serpent of brass had that virtue. In like manner, it is a look of Christ by divine faith, and not convictions of sin, that will deliver the soul from death, “they looked unto Him, and were lightened”. Psalm 34. 5.
But beware of despising the invitations of the gospel. In many cases it is easy to do this. Men have only to continue in their sleep of ignorance and carelessness. In others it requires an effort to get rid of solemn thoughts of eternity. In some, it may demand the stifling of convictions, the violation of engagements, and the casting away of a profession, to escape from invitations which are like a sound of rain to the weary traveller, but of no account to those who are at ease. However it is with you, rest assured of this, if the invitations that are given in the gospel be dismissed in carelessness, in worldliness, in unbelief, they will meet you another day and in another place. But then, they will appear, not surrounded by all that is lovely and tender and attractive; but rendered awful by the glory of Him “who shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” 2 Thess. 1. 7, 8. To escape this awful doom, be persuaded to hearken to the voice of mercy now pleading with you. The language in which you are now addressed is that of entreaty; then it will be changed into that of condemnation. The lot that will be assigned to you then will be everlasting perdition. In the word of the truth of the gospel, the divine Redeemer says to you “Come”. But if the gracious call be neglected. He, from His great white throne of judgment will say to you, “Depart”. Oh, dread reversion! Oh, heavy doom! Oh, overwhelming misery! “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would have none of my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind” Prov. 1 24-27. Oh, flee from the wrath to come, and lay hold of eternal life.
A silent Sabbath is a loud preacher to a minister.
Doctor John Kennedy