Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first… Suppose that two persons start upon a philanthropic mission. One shall be a preacher determined to preach the old-fashioned gospel; and the other shall be a nineteenth century lecturer, whose great article of faith is, "I believe in the nineteenth century," Each of us addresses congregations, and at the end of one of my sermons I say, "Now then, if there are any of you who feel yourselves tied and bound with the chain of your sins, while you are longing to lead a better life, stay behind and I will endeavour to make the way as plain as I can." Well, suppose also that the lecturer has delivered his oration, the place is crowded, and a great amount of enthusiasm is kindled by the wonderful oratory of the man. At the end, suppose again that he too says something of the same kind: "Now then, I have been speaking of the progress of civilisation, and the development of humanity, and what we may expect as years roll away and as man rises to a higher level. But I wish to be practical, and to endeavour to benefit any now present who feel they need some help. Should any of you tonight feel as if you are failing to benefit by this general advance that is being made, just remain behind and I will offer you a few words of advice." Suppose that in both cases the invitation is accepted by some. I come down, and there approaches me a miserable-looking specimen of humanity. I have only to look in his face to see the marks of sin there. A few minutes' conversation discloses the fact that there is scarcely a sin which that man has not committed; tears stand in his eyes as he says to me, "I wish you could tell me, sir, what I must do to be saved." To such a one I should have no difficulty in making answer — "My dear brother, you are just the person I have to preach to. My Master came to seek and to save the lost. Tell me, are you altogether out of conceit, nay, out of heart, with yourself?" I can imagine the melancholy reply. "What hope have I left in myself? Unless a higher power than mine do something for me, there is nothing before me but despair." If such be the response, I can hail that self-despair as the harbinger of true hope. I am able to lead the forlorn and hopeless wretch out of self and into Christ; show him the provision that has been made to meet the case of the helpless, and guide him step by step, till at length he claims Christ as his all-sufficient Saviour who is able to save to the uttermost. Well, in such a case, the man will become a changed person. The intervention of the Creator will have made him a new creature, and he who before delighted in sin, will suddenly find himself hating sin and loving purity and holiness, blow let us turn to the other scene. The lecture is just closing, and the lecturer gives such an invitation as I have suggested. One man comes up and addresses himself to the lecturer: "I am a very bad man, and have lived a very bad life, and I want to know if you can give me any advice that shall make me better." "Well, my friend, reasoning on utilitarian grounds, I assume that you have found your evil course not much to your advantage." "Advantage! Why, I have stripped my house of every comfort, and turned it into a wild beast's den rather than a human home; I have lost my situations; and it is all through that cursed drink." "Then your case is very clear, my friend. You can see without any lecture on utilitarianism that drunkenness is unprofitable to you." "Well, I know that; but the point is how I am to overcome this craving." "Well, first reflect seriously that you are injuring yourself." "But I am convinced of that already." "Well, then act in accordance with that conviction; sign the pledge." "I have signed the pledge, over and over again, but I cannot keep it." "Why not? Have you been really in earnest?" "Yes, sir; but I could never keep it for any length of time." "Well, but you had better sign it again." "I have signed it a dozen times, sir." "Well, I don't know what to advise; struggle more earnestly." "But I have struggled my very utmost." "Then can you keep out of the way of bad company?" "I may try, sir; but the bad company won't keep out of my way." What is the lecturer to say next? My own impression is that there is nothing left for the apostle of the new creed but to admit his failure, unless he has the assurance to say to him, "Very well, then, your only chance is to believe in the nineteenth century!" But where is there one who would dare to say this? No! the individual must perish, while the lecturer comforts himself with the hope that the species will improve. You ask me to lay aside the gospel, and take in place of it one which leaves me in such a position that I am morally helpless and incapable of grappling with the infirmities of human nature, or of holding out a helping hand to those around me who are sinking down to perdition. We are asked to accept the dictates of science, or the theories of philosophers, or what are supposed to be exhibitions of supernatural power, or some enthusiastic visionary who sets himself up as a religious reformer, and bids us accommodate our convictions to his dreams. But we go back to that question, "Where is the power?" As I look around on all the various substitutes for the gospel, I seek an answer, and I seek in vain. Where is the man who is ready to tell me how a bad man is to become good, how a weak man is to become strong? From all these I turn to the cross of Emmanuel. The power of God in redemption is felt, and from the cross I see men going forth, new creatures in Christ Jesus, possessed of new desires and new affections, and animated by a new power. (W. Hay Aitken, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. |
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