~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(James Smith, "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860)
"Whoever believes in Him is not condemned--but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son!" John 3:18
The unbeliever's condemnation is for sin; but his condemnation is not merely for violating the law--but for refusing a pardon, presented to him by God as an act of infinite mercy.
Every unbeliever is presently in a state of condemnation!
He is condemned, BY WHOM? By God, the righteous Judge, the Judge of all.
He is condemned, FOR WHAT? Not merely for breaking the law--but for insulting the Lawgiver, by refusing a pardon, procured at no less a cost than the death of his Son, and presented in the everlasting gospel.
He is condemned, WHEN? Now, already! At this moment, while he reads these lines! The manacled criminal in his cell, waiting for the day of execution, is not more really condemned, than is every unbeliever!
He is condemned, TO WHAT? Ah, who can tell? His punishment is represented . . .
by blackness, darkness, and a horrible tempest!
By weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth!
By a lake of fire, a bottomless pit, and a gnawing worm which never dies!
He is condemned, WITH WHOM? The devil and his demons--and with most depraved of the human race!
He is condemned, BY WHAT? Both the law--and the gospel; both the Creator--and the Savior!
See then, every unbeliever's state--he is condemned already! Yes, however moral the life, however amiable the disposition--he is condemned already! Condemned to be driven from God, from holy angels, from blessed believers; and to be associated with devils and damned souls forever! Condemned, just because he would not believe in Jesus--he would not accept the pardon--he would not be reconciled to God.
O strange infatuation! O fearful delusion! O astonishing power of sin!
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life--but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath abides on him!" John 3:36
O fearful state! O terrible condition! O awful doom!
Believe at once--and escape so terrible a doom!
No comments:
Post a Comment