Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. Never before in history, even
during the height of the Roman Catholic sale of indulgences,
has more merchandise been made of the gospel than in the present
hour. Grinning preachers sell their books, book their cruises,
and preach to packed houses of folks eager to hear a message
which reassures them that they're all doing great and that God
has a wonderful plan for their life if they will just cooperate
and let him have his way. These Mr. Rogers for adults preachers
paint a picture which will ultimately prove to be a deception. The
Lord described the pathway which the multitude treads and contrasted
it with the only true way when he said, enter ye in at the straight
gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth
to destruction and many there be which go in there at. Because
straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto
life and few there be that find it. This particular principle
was reiterated over and over by our Lord, but the religious
multitudes find more pleasure in the painted picture of the
physicians of no value than they do in the reality which our Lord
proclaimed. Did he not say, I am the way,
the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by
me? The natural man is content to seek out his own happiness
and is convinced that God's purpose in the earth is to see that he
is contented and in a blissful state. The soaring divorce and
abortion rates of our nation testify to this quest for personal
happiness at all costs. Those who have been made new
creatures in Christ have no desire for the baubles of religion,
nor can they be satisfied with a form of godliness without substance.
The man who knows himself to be hopelessly lost knows that
he needs a Savior who is mighty to save. He cannot be aided by
someone who needs his permission to help him. He cannot find comfort
in performing some duty designed to make him acceptable and pleasing
in the Lord's sight. Such a man who knows himself
to be a worthless and helpless sinner knows that he must have
someone who can rescue him completely and deliver him from his current
state of distress before a holy God. The Lord Jesus Christ is
just such a Savior. Isaiah foresaw Him as that great
Deliverer who dyed His garments with His own blood, and the blood
of His enemies, which undertook the destruction of those whom
He loved with an everlasting love. He spoiled principalities
and powers, and He made a show of them openly, triumphing over
them in it. Not only did He atone for the
sins of His elect bride, but He forever destroyed all who
would bring any accusation against them in eternity. Those for whom
he died have had their sins put away forever in his suffering
for sin. His righteousness is imputed
to them as he has imputed their sin to himself and gladly borne
the rigors of his just reward and tasted death for each one
of them. Oh, who can tell the majesty and power of this mighty
Savior who shrank not to drink the cup of wrath in their behalf
but drained the very dregs from it? forever satisfying the law
in their behalf and canceling all sin which could ever be found
in them or laid to their account. Oh, tell me you who worship at
his footstool, was there ever a man like this? Has any arisen
of the sons of men who can even unlatch the straps of his shoes?
Mighty to save, oh, glorious message. How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that
publishes peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publishes
salvation, that saith undesigned, thy God reigneth. The most glorious
message a lost sinner can hear is one which assures him that
this one who is the Savior is also the God who rules in the
heavens and the earth, and has done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Who can snatch a sinner from the hands of this shepherd of
men's souls when he stoops to gather them to his bosom? He
is indeed a Savior who is glorious in His apparel. He is suited
to the sinner's need. His blood-red garments are glorious
in the sight of those who know that with the shedding of His
blood there is remission of sin. And what God has put us under,
none can put back. He is indeed a Savior who is
traveling in the greatness of His strength. That which men
thought was His weakness was in fact His greatest strength,
for He laid down His life. No one took it from Him. He needed
no one to assist Him in the redemption of His own sheep. He is a Savior
who speaks in righteousness. His words themselves are life,
and He sends His Spirit to awaken His children and heed His voice
in the appointed time. And finally, he is mighty to
save. No sinner who has been awakened to flee to him for refuge
from the wrath to come need ever fear any condemnation, for he
has completely satisfied the laws every demand in their behalf. But now thus saith the Lord that
created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, fear
not, for I have redeemed thee. I have called thee by thy name.
Thou art mine. For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, Send an email to forthepoor at windstream
dot net.