SUCH was the heading of a column in one of this country’s leading newspapers a few days ago. The article in question had reference to the annual report of the Lunacy Commissioners, which disclosed facts and figures to prove that insanity is largely on the increase, and that comparatively few are altogether free from this affliction in some form or other.
Dear reader, I would like to point out to you that what is true in regard to the subject referred to, is also painfully true respecting another, and more serious subject, and that is, the world’s attitude towards Christ, together with the alarming fact that there are but few saved.
This world’s estimation of Jesus is fully shown out at the cross of Calvary, where the first act of the leaders of this age was to crucify the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:88Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:8)). There we find gathered together, against Him, the combined powers of the world’s political, intellectual, and religious representatives, as set forth in Roman, Greek, and Jew respectively. Hence the inscription over the cross was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. “Though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain” (Acts 13:2828And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. (Acts 13:28)). The portion meted out to God’s beloved Son at the hands of man was also afterward shared by many who bore His name, for we read of one who (though subsequently by God’s grace turned from darkness to light) gave consent to their death, “compelling them to blaspheme, being exceedingly mad against them” (Acts 26:10, 1110Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. (Acts 26:10‑11)).
This then was the world’s estimation of Christ when here upon earth, when, in their madness and folly, wicked men imbrued their hands in His blood, denying the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto them. Sad to say, though nevertheless true, the world’s attitude towards Christ is still the same, in spite of all its boasted progress and improvement. Satan is still the god of this world— “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (2 Cor. 4:44In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4); Eph. 2:22Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Ephesians 2:2)).
To come a little closer home, dear reader, what is your attitude towards Christ? “He that is not with me is against me” (Matt. 12:3030He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (Matthew 12:30)) are the words of Jesus. Are you still linked up with that which sets itself against Christ, and now stands convicted of sin by the Spirit of God? I beg you to pause, consider, and bow to the wondrous grace of God that shines through it all, inasmuch as the crowning act of man’s wickedness is made by God the ground upon which “he can be just and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus.”
Surely it is madness to continue in sin and opposition to Christ, when all the time God is calling in tenderest tones and saying, “Come now let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool” (Isa. 1:1818Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)). The gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many go in thereat.
Oh, will you not accept God’s gracious provision for your need? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)). May you have repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ! “For many are called, but few chosen.” May you be found amongst the “few,” for His Name’s sake!
C. S.