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MEN JUDGED BY THE GOSPEL
THE judgment of the last day is a period to which we must all look forward with the deepest interest, and for which we should be preparing from day to day: for then “we shall receive at the Lord’s hands according to what we have done in the body, whether it be good or evil.” True it is, our Lord says, in the verse before my text, “If any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” But we are not to understand this absolutely: for we are told expressly, that “God has committed all judgment to the Son;” and that “he will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom he has ordained.” The meaning is, that “to save the world” was the great and primary object of his mission; and that, though he will also judge the world, he will not do it arbitrarily, according to any secret will of his own, but according to his revealed will, even with that word which, from day to day, he declared unto them. Of their reception of this word they should give account; and in strict accordance with it should his judgment be passed upon them.
In confirmation of this truth, I will shew,
I. The responsibility of those who hear the Gospel—
[Man is responsible to God for every talent that has been committed to him, and for every advantage he enjoys. In proportion to the opportunities which men have of knowing their Lord’s will, must be their accountableness for the performance of it: and more or fewer stripes will be awarded to the negligent servant, according to the degree of information which had been given him, and the knowledge he possessed [Note: Luk_12:47-48.]. “The times of men’s ignorance God winked at; but, when his fuller revelation was made known to them, he called upon them more authoritatively to repent [Note: Act_17:30.].” The uninstructed “heathen will be judged by the law written on their hearts [Note: Rom_2:14-15.]:” the Jews, by the law of the Ten Commandments [Note: Rom_2:12.]; but Christians, by the Gospel [Note: 2Th_1:8.]. And a far more severe account will be required of us than of the others, on account of the superior light we have enjoyed. Our Lord told his hearers, that “if he had not come and spoken unto them, they bad not (comparatively) had sin; but that now they had no cloak for their sin [Note: Joh_15:22.].” And he warned them, that not only Tyre and Sidon, but even Sodom and Gomorrha, with all their wickedness, would have a lighter condemnation in the day of judgment, than those who neglected to improve the advantages afforded them by his instructions [Note: Mat_10:14-15.]. This he plainly declared in the words of my text: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”]
Here also we see,
II. The rule by which they shall be judged—
“The word that Christ spoke, the same shall judge,” both those who heard, and us who read it. We shall be judged by,
1. Its declarations—
[Nothing can be plainer than his declarations respecting the necessity of a new and heavenly birth [Note: Joh_3:3.], or the necessity of faith in him [Note: Joh_3:18; Joh_3:36.] — — — Now, in the last day these will appear against us: we cannot plead ignorance: the terms, in which these requirements were made known, were clear, peremptory, decisive; and if we have not obeyed them, we must take the bitter consequences of our neglect — — —]
2. Its invitations—
[These have been as free as our hearts could wish. Do we need to obtain rest in Christ? he says, “Come unto me, and I will give it you [Note: Mat_11:28.].” Do we need a new nature? he bids us to “take from him the water of life freely [Note: Rev_22:17.].” Have we any apprehension that he will not vouchsafe to us these blessings on account of our own unworthiness? be bids us receive them at his hands, “without money and without price [Note: Isa_55:1.].” Now these also will appear against us in judgment. And what excuse can we offer for not accepting them? Verily, we must confess, in that day, that “our ruin was of ourselves alone [Note: Hos_13:9.];” and that we perished only because “we would not come to Christ for life [Note: Joh_5:40.].”]
3. Its promises—
[How “exceeding great and precious” are these! They are enlarged to the full extent of our necessities. What can we desire more than this, “Whosoever cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast him out [Note: Joh_6:37.]?” Here is no exception, either of character or condition. Whoever the person be, “the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse him from all sin [Note: 1Jn_1:7.]:” yea, “though his sins have been red as crimson, they shall be made white as snow [Note: Isa_1:18.].” And what shall we say, when these appear in array against us on account of the contempt we poured upon them? Verily, our mouths will be shut, and not so much as a word of excuse can ever be offered by us.]
4. Its threatenings—
[These are no less plain than any of the former [Note: Mar_16:16. Psa_9:17.]: so that we can never plead ignorance, or a want of faithful admonition. And I appeal to you, whether all of these, the more awful as well as the more encouraging parts of Scripture, have not, in their season, been set before you with all fidelity? These, therefore, shall also be your judges in the last day. No arbitrary appointment of God shall determine your fate; but these very words, which you have so neglected and despised.]
And now, I pray you,
1. Examine how you have treated all these portions of Holy Writ [Note: There is no medium between “a rejecting of Christ, and a cordial reception of his words.” See the text.] — — —
2. Bear in mind your responsibility for the warning now given you — — —
END OF VOL. XIII.