by Rev. Wm. MacLean
Our greatest danger in the matter of the soul and of eternity is self-deception. We have a heart that is “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Jer. 17: 9. That is God’s verdict on the human heart. “Out of the heart of men,” said Christ, “proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7: 21-23. What else can be expected from a heart of so depraved a nature but deceit and deception? Along with a deceitful heart, there is the “old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world,” Rev. 12: 9, and if grace prevent not we shall succumb to his temptations and delusions. A deceitful heart and a deceiving devil will cause us to make light of sin and to fondly hope that we may live in sin and die in peace. “Be not deceived” is the warning of Him who cannot lie, “neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6: 9-10. “There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh adomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life,” Rev. 21: 27. What a black catalogue of sins, and alas, how common! A deceitful heart and false teachers may assure us that all shall be well, but “Be not deceived.” “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Eph. 5: 6-7. “The vengeance of eternal fire,” Jude 7, the holy wrath of the Almighty in a lost eternity is the end of these things.
How absolutely hopeless would be the case of mankind but for the grace of God! As soon may the Ethiopian change his skin and the leopard his spots than for man by efforts of his own to eradicate the evil propensities of his heart and the sinful practices of his life. Resolutions and expedients, however, plausible, having their source in the wisdom of man, and their success in energy and endurance on his part, will prove futile and fatal. Frustration and despair will be the result. “Be not deceived.” Salvation is not of works but of grace. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2: 8-9. The infinite and eternal merit of Christ’s one sacrifice for sin on Calvary’s Cross, to the exclusion of human merit which is non-existent as far as the salvation of the soul is concerned — for “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” — is alone sufficient to redeem and to renew our guilty sin laden souls. “If the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Heb. 9: 13-14. There is no solace for a guilty conscience but in the blood of Christ. There is no solvent for the power of sin but the blood of Christ. “The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1: 7. It is the “fountain opened” by God Himself “for sin and for uncleanness.” Zach. 13: 1. “Be not deceived” cleansing and pardon are not to be found in any fountain of man’s device. They are not to be found in the confessional box nor in penance. They are not to be found in works of righteousness on our part. They are gratuitously bestowed by the Lord Jesus Christ through His Word and Spirit. “Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5: 31.
Apart from the Word of God we shall inevitably fail of these blessings for “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10: 17. The word of God as applied by the Holy Spirit is the seed of regeneration in the soul. The Lord’s people are “born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1: 23. A regenerate soul is a renewed soul, a pardoned soul and a soul at peace with God. The Word of God is the bread that sustains the divine life in the regenerate soul. It is through the Word that the regenerate soul is sanctified, purified and prepared for glory. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17: 17.
“Be not deceived” by infidel attacks on the authenticity and divine authority of God’s Word. “Let God be true and every man a liar.” “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” Luke 21: 33. If saved by free and sovereign grace we shall be, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament in their entirety will be to us the living Word of the living God. If they are not so it is because we are still under the deception and power of sin.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Ps. 129: 9. “Search the Scriptures” is Christ’s own command. Search them prayerfully, for they contain the “pearl of great price.” All the blessings that sinful man stands in need of are treasured up in the volume of the book. “Thy words were found” said the prophet of old, “and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” Jer: 15: 16.