HOW much dirt there is in the world. And how rival manufacturers affirm that they produce the best article for cleansing it away! Judging by advertisements and placards, this is a day of “much soap.”
But there is another kind of pollution much more difficult to get rid of than outward dirt; it is moral pollution. This engages the thoughts of wise men and philanthropists. The question of which they seek a solution is—How can we cleanse men's minds, so that their habits and ways shall be beneficial, and not detrimental, to the rest of mankind?
It is a difficult question, as they own, but various schemes are proposed and discussed. Again we might say, although in a different sense, it is a day of "much soap.”
But GOD'S eye rests upon us. If we are so polluted before each other's eyes, what are we before His? It is written of Him, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Hab. 1:1313Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? (Habakkuk 1:13)). Isaiah the prophet saw His throne, high and lifted up, with the seraphim flying before Him with veiled faces and feet, and as they flew they cried ceaselessly," Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts." Before that thrice-holy God Isaiah shrank abashed, and cried," Woe is me for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts " (Isa. 6:1-51In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 6:1‑5)). Dear reader, have you had consciously to do with this holy God, and have you found yourself defiled and unclean by sin?
Here comes the most important of all questions: What shall be done to render the soul of man clean before God? How then can man be justified before God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
Men have various answers. Some speak of reformation, and the leading a better life. Some speak of good works, as they judge, and acts of kindness to men. Others urge the ordinances of the Church, and religious zeal. Truly we might say, even with respect to this, it is a day of “much soap.”
But now hear the word of God. “Though thou wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God” (Jer. 2:2222For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God. (Jeremiah 2:22)). All man's most earnest efforts, most diligent observances, can never cleanse away one guilty stain. If works could have atoned for sins, then should the works of the law have perfected us. But it is written, “By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Gal. 2:1616Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16), &c.).
If ordinances could have saved, then should the sacrifices of the law have given us peace. But it is written, “It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins “(Heb. 10:44For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (Hebrews 10:4)).
O reader, if you are trying the "niter" of works, and the "much soap" of religious ordinances, be warned; it is all in vain; your iniquity is still marked before God, and eternal destruction in His wrath is before you.
But what saith the Scripture “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us 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)). Oh what blessed news! That which niter and much soap cannot effect, is accomplished by His precious blood. Those who were seeking blessing by works of the law, and who thus brought themselves under its curse, may now say, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:1313Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13)).
Those who were diligently occupied with the religious offerings which left them as far away from God as ever, may now say, “By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:1414For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)). Every poor sinner who believes in Jesus may re-echo with joyful heart, “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.”
ALL SIN I It leaves not a stain behind. Full atonement has been made by it. The claims of God's righteousness have been fully met. God's holiness has been fully vindicated. His nature has been perfectly glorified. The poor sinner who believes is eternally blessed.
In conclusion, we ask you then, dear reader, In which is all your trust? The "much soap" of your own efforts and ordinances, or the precious blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son? J. R.