SUCH is the title of a book which caught the writer’s eye in the catalog of a circulating library; the title; no doubt, of a novel—one of the innumerable volumes of fictitious literature by means of which “the god of this world” seeks to engage and “blind the minds of those who believe not” at the present day.
“Wanted―a home,” the need, surely, of every sinner out of Christ; your need, reader, if you have not believed the gospel—that wonderful message of love and grace concerning God’s well-beloved Son, Christ Jesus, the Lord. There is a home prepared in His Father’s house for all who believe in Him. You may be like the wandering prodigal in the far country, either wasting your substance in riotous living, or poor and in want, but, nevertheless, away from home. “All that is in the world” (the “far country”), “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:1616For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16)). If you do not feel actually in want now, you will ere long, for “the world passeth away, and the lust thereof” (1 John 2:1717And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:17)).
The wages of the citizen of the far country (Satan resembles that citizen) cannot satisfy; in fact, the “wages of sin is death,” so that your case is hopeless—you are not only away from home, but you are lost. We would then earnestly direct you to the Word, and ask you to read of the delight of all heaven in the home-coming of one repentant prodigal (Luke 15). “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” You have sinned against heaven and in God’s sight, and are not worthy to be called His son, but He has made provision by which any broken and contrite sinner may be forgiven and brought with joy and feasting to the Father’s house. “It is meet that we should make merry and be glad,” we hear the Father saying, “for this My son was dead and is alive again, was lost, and is found.”
Perhaps you will ask, like Nicodemus of old, “How can these things be?” How is it a righteous God can bless the ungodly sinner who comes to Him in this way? Because God’s righteous claims on account of sin have been perfectly met. The Lord Jesus Christ has been here as a man. He came to do God’s will. He came to restore to God the glory, due to Him alone, which we as sinners had sold into the hands of the enemy. He came, also, to reveal to a world of ruined sinners the wonderful fact that “God is love”— “Came from His bosom, knoweth all That in that bosom lies; And came to earth to make it known, That we might share its joys.”
In coming to do the will of God, the Lord Jesus Christ has, by His most precious death, wiped off the stain which the enemy sought to cast upon the eternal glory of God; and God has been glorified as to the whole question of sin. A full testimony has been given at the cross as to God’s thoughts about sin, and there it was shown that no trace of sin can ever enter the divine presence. God is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity. Sin, wherever found, must be met by divine judgment: all this comes out in the cross. It is there that sin was fully atoned for. It was there the Lord Jesus took the sinner’s place, sustained the judgment, paid the penalty, answered every question, died, and vanquished every foe, and rising from the dead He has ascended into heaven and taken His seat on the throne of God, where He is crowned with glory and honor, as the divine and glorious Accomplisher of the entire work of redemption. God can now come out in richest grace to all; and all who believe will have their portion with the Lord Jesus in the Father’s house forever.
Listen to the words of love and comfort which were addressed by the Saviour to His own whilst in this world: “Let not your heart be troubled.... In My Father’s house are many mansions, I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-31Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1‑3)). Are you in want of a home? Here you have it. Will you not come home now? The Father’s welcome, the kiss of forgiveness, the best robe—all that He has to bestow—present and eternal joy may be yours now if you but bow to His blessed word.
“Oh what a home! but such His love
That He must bring us there
To fill that home, to be with Him
And all His glory share.
The Father’s house, the Father’s heart,
All that the Son is given
Made ours—the objects of His love,
And He, our joy in heaven.”
J. S.