It is commonly accepted among
the legions of religious men that God is pleased when men
keep His law and is angry when they do not. Thus it is equally common to
find them promoting morality and the performance of good deeds
as a means of gaining the favor of God and enhancing their own
standing with Him. This thought process is that
which depends upon the supposed free will of men as the basis
and means whereby this obedience and performance takes place.
Cain demonstrates this line of thought in the very early days
of mankind's existence, as he took the fruit of the labor of
his own hands and brought it to the Lord as an offering. He
was then angry when he and his offering was rejected by the
Lord, and ultimately slew his own brother out of envy, whose
person and offering of blood was received by the Lord. In
this action we see pictured the rejection by the natural man
of that one who alone has a righteousness which is acceptable in heaven.
Abel was received by the Lord not because of his actions, but
because he was beloved in Christ, who is illustrated in both Abel
and in his offering, which is typical of that blood sacrifice
which the Lord Jesus made as the substitute and mediator of
his people, beloved from before the foundation of the world.
The very thought that God would determine the salvation of His
people rather than them determining it is reprehensible to the natural
man. He recalls such a notion and
is often ready to destroy those who would proclaim this to be
the case. He also strongly opposes the
truth which declares that men do not possess the ability to
gain the favor of God by actions of their own. and that his favor
is bestowed not on the basis of conditions which they have
met, but strictly according to his promise, which is conferred
by grace. It is because of a failure to
comprehend the dire state of man as desperately wicked and
completely separated from God due to that wickedness and willing
blindness that causes men to suppose that they possess power
to come into his presence with offerings and activities which
they presume to be righteous and acceptable in his sight.
Many who will profess to being the followers of Christ expect
that they can influence the blessing of God by their actions. and
expect that they shall be rewarded for adherence to His ways by
their carnal obedience. That man, however, who is convinced
of his innate corruption and carnal separation from God confesses
that he has not one shred of hope which is not bestowed upon
himself by the goodness of God which leads him to repentance.
He expects nothing in return but desires to be found faithful
to Him who has called him out of darkness and into the light.
The true glory of the gospel is beheld as one is enabled to
see that the very world itself was designed as a stage upon
which God would manifest the glory of His grace in the deliverance
of that people whom He loved from the beginning. In order
that this grace might be magnified, He has revealed the absolute
nature of that law which He has placed mankind under. It is a
law which has no remedy for those who break its precepts. In this
he will demonstrate the fact that he will not acquit the wicked
nor clear the guilty. The wages of sin is death. This
is the dark backdrop upon which the grandest demonstration of
mercy could then be displayed, even as diamonds are displayed
upon black velvet in the jeweler's shop. Mercy and truth are met
together in the declaration of the gospel to ruined sinners,
but righteousness and peace have kissed each other as the very
basis of this redemption is set forth. Mercy was not enough to
satisfy the claims of his justice. Thus he fulfilled the law in
its jot and tittle, and placed the basis of his people's salvation
not simply upon mercy, but upon justice as well, that he might
be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
He has brought a perfect salvation unto those who have been the
objects of his love from the beginning. The Spirit bears witness
to those that believe of the complete and finished work of
Christ in their behalf. Jesus Christ and Him crucified
is the sole grounds of their peace.