A SMALL word, but how great, how comprehensive its meaning! As it stands, it holds no exceptions. “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man” (the man Christ Jesus) “is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)). The refined or the polluted, the educated or the ignorant, whether old or young, rich or poor, of whatever class or condition, “all that believe are justified from all things.”
Some time ago, while traveling from Bournemouth to South sea, a passenger was anxious to know whether he changed trains for Wimbourne. No one in the compartment could inform him. Presently the train stopped at a station, and a railway official distinctly called out, “All change here.” In getting out of the train I felt impressed to call attention to two passages of Scripture, “The blood of Jesus Christ... cleanseth... from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)), and the passage in 1 Corinthians 15:5151Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1 Corinthians 15:51), “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.”
After waiting a short time, I again took my seat for South sea, followed by another passenger, who had heard me quote the passages of Scripture referred to. None but he came into the compartment, so we were alone. My fellow-traveler, who confessed himself to be a Christian, said that the word “all” reminded him of the word “whosoever.” Some interesting conversation followed, for which he was evidently thankful, and stated that he should look upon that day as a memorable one, for although he often traveled by train, he seldom met with any with whom he could converse on divine things. I was, however, somewhat startled to hear this gentleman say, that he had failed to discover any illustration of the grace of God in the account of the Samaritan, for instance, and to regard it as such, was, to him, a stretch of the imagination. How blinded even Christians may become.
It is important not to confuse the case of the lawyer with that of the ruler. Both asked the same question, viz., “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The former stood up to tempt Christ; the latter did no such thing. The account of the lawyer is found in Luke’s Gospel, chapter 10, verses 25-37. That of the ruler is found in the same Gospel, chapters 18, verses 18-23. The law is referred to in both instances, for really neither knew what sinners they were.
In connection with the ruler, those commandments are spoken of which refer to man, “Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,” &c., and he says, “All these have I kept from my youth up.” The lawyer, on the other hand, flippantly speaks of the “first commandment,” i.e., “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” The lawyer did not know who his neighbor was, therefore his question, “Who is my neighbor?” The Lord, in giving the account of the Samaritan, shows who was neighbor. This is different ground. The lawyer needed mercy, although he did not realize it. And if he sought to go and do “likewise,” he would have found his weakness and want of strength, which evidently he had not felt. “The Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans,” but this did not prevent the Samaritan dealing in mercy towards him who “fell among thieves,” and whose course lay in the direction in which all sinners are going, ―a downward one. “From Jerusalem to Jericho,”―and to the latter place a curse was attached by God. “When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Rom. 5:1010For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)). The good Samaritan spoke of coming again; he had come to where the wounded man was, bound up his wounds, “pouring in oil and wine” (not only oil, but “oil and wine”). So our Lord Jesus Christ will come again for those who have been saved through His first coming, ―
“Who grace has brought,
Shall glory bring.”
Is the reader ready to meet the Lord? Does he look for Him? All who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are ready. W. R. C.