10
January 1930
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
perfection of the standard. He was the one who did no sin, who knew no sin, in whom there was no sin. He was “ holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). A Gospel preacher was once speaking in a prison in Chicago in which several hundred prisoners were confined. They represented all sorts of crime; some were murderers; some, burglars; some, forgers; and so on; but all were of the same class—criminals. There were many degrees of crime but only one class of people. Even so all the members of the race since the fall of Adam are of just one class— sinners, although there are many degrees of sinfulness. “ALL have sinned and come short,” and hence all need the salvation of the Scripture. Each member of the race is guilty before God. “ I f thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who should stand? (Psalm 130:3). “For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). One vial of poison by which a man kills himself leaves him as certainly dead as though he had taken ten. One broken law brings to guilt as certain ly as ten broken laws. Each member of the race is naturally wicked. “ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). “ I am carnal, sold under sin” (Romans 7 :14). “ The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit o f God: for they are foolishness unto him” (1 Corinthians 2:14 ). So wicked is the natural man that the very truth of God is but foolishness to him. T he W ords of J esus C hrist In the third place the Bible teaches that the need of salvation exists because of the words of Jesus Christ. By infidel and Christian, Jew and Gentile, Jesus Christ is held to be the world’s greatest, best, and truest religious teacher. It is Jesus Christ, more than any other, who declares that sin is universal, deep-s’eated, and beyond repair, when he says, “ Except a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom o f God” (John 3:1-7). He here speaks a word of warning by stating, not an arbitrary but a natural law. Just as one might state that except a man can hear, it is useless for him to attend a concert however exquisite the music may be; or for a blind man to attend an exhibition of art however beauti ful the display may be. Except a man be born again, born from above, he can neither see nor enter the king dom o f God.
He speaks also a word of instruction in this passage: “ That which is born o f the flesh is flesh.” The “ flesh” remains unchanged however it may be cultured,, or how ever moral it may be, or however religious it may become. No one doubts that the flesh is capable of great improve ment and culture both mentally and morally. But however improved and cultured it may be, it can never be anything but “ flesh.” A piece of brass may be thrown into a corner as valueless, or the same piece of brass may be hammered and fashioned with skill until it becomes a beautiful and costly ornament, but it is brass whether discarded in the corner or set in a place of honor. That which is brass is brass wherever and whatever it is ; that which is flesh is flesh wherever and whatever it may be. The only possible relief from the flesh is to be found in the new. birth, bringing in a new creation. He speaks again a word of authority: “ Ye must be born again.” '■ No one doubts the propriety or right of the United States of America in declaring certain regulations con cerning who shall and who shall not be allowed to be come citizens of this country. But there are those who would question the propriety or right o f the Sovereign of the kingdom of God to declare regulations which shall govern admittance to that kingdom. However, that Sov ereign has declared without ambiguity that “ except a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom o f God.” The salvation of Scripture is needed because of the fall, because of the condition of the race by that fall, and because of the words of Jesus Christ. Man is a sinner, out of the way and lost, and needing restoration. Hence it is written, “ The Son o f man is come to seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10). “ 1 am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6). Here is the needed restoration for the sinner. Man is a criminal, guilty before God, and needing remission of his crimes. Hence it is written, “ To him [Christ] give all the prophets witness, that . . . . whoso ever believeth in him shall receive remission o f sins” (Acts 10:43). Here is the needed remission for the criminal. Man is a rebel in the universe, in enmity against God, and needing reconciliation. Hence it is written, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Here is- the needed reconciliation for the rebel. (T o be continued )
A Better Year for God B y I da C ornett (In “ The Bible Today” )
The bright new year approaches fast, Swift on the wings o f time; It gleams with hope and gladness; How bright its prospects shine! There are new year resolutions, To turn life’s leaf anew; A better year for God is mine, More faithful, kind, and true.
I would not strive to do great things, And worldly honor gain, But faithful be in little things, That some may count as vain; More like my blessed Saviour, Who gave His life fo r me; O help me, Lord, make this new year A better year for Thee.
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