4th section — The recommendations of the gospel, part 3.
THE SIMPLICITY OF THE INVITATION
“Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
1. The blessing of the gospel. God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11. It is disposition of heart that caused the Saviour to weep over evil, wicked Jerusalem at a time when they would soon crucify Him.
2. It is for those who trust. “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast,” Psalm 57:1 Note that ‘refuge’ is used to explain ‘trust’. Faith is the seeking of a hiding place under the wings of Christ and His atoning work on Calvary. Christ used the same illustration. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37.
All too many expect to enjoy the mercy of God throughout eternity who never once showed any evidence of faith during their life!
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him,” Hebrews 11:6. FAITH is a an earnest, diligent seeking of the Lord in response to the gospel command.
3. It is for all who trust. There are no exceptions. Make Christ your refuge today and so escape the eternal consequences of your innumerable sins.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28.
As with the feeding of the 5000 men, all who took the offered food were fed and filled.
“And they did all eat, and were filled,” Matthew 14:20. They just had to take and eat!
Again, we see the extent of Christ’s mercy and His willingness to bless in these verses. “And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; and besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.” Matthew 14:35-36. Have you reached and touched Christ by faith?