DECEMBER 26TH, 1942
DECEMBER 26TH, 1942
BELOVED BROTHER, — As to the bearing of sins by the blessed Lord, I think it is important to see that Scripture never says that He bore the sins of all. He is the propitiation for our sins; but not for ours alone, but also for the whole world. God has been glorified about sins in such a way that Christ can be set forth a Mercy-seat on God’s part towards all men. This answers to Jehovah’s lot on the day of atonement, Leviticus 16. The blood of the one goat goes in and is put on the mercy-seat. God’s glory is so met that His righteousness in remitting sins can be set forth to all. But as to substitution — the actual bearing of persons’ sins — this is limited to believers, that is, to God’s elect. This answers to the other goat, upon which the sins of the people were confessed and by which their sins were borne away. In preaching the gospel we speak of Christ as the Mercy-seat, and of His blood as the righteous ground on which God can remit sins, and that He and the value of His blood are available for all through the grace of a Saviour God and a Justifier. But when persons have believed the glad tidings we can tell them that Christ bore their sins in His own body on the tree, so that they are gone, and will never be remembered by God any more. But persons who die unsaved will be judged according to their works. Christ did not put away their sins. They will not only be condemned because they did not believe, but because they have died in their sins, and will be under the guilt of them at the great white throne. It is not sound doctrine to say that Christ bore a person’s sins, but that if he does not believe he will [p. 315] eventually be judged for those very sins which Christ bore. This is often said, but Scripture does not say so.
As to the action of the Holy Spirit in human systems, there are no doubt pious and God-fearing persons in those systems, who may serve individually in the power of the Spirit in preaching or teaching according to the measure of their light or gift. When such believers serve they may be blessed in conversions, or in helping those who are the Lord’s. But there is no Scripture for choosing a pastor. They have devised this out of their own hearts, or it is part of the system which they have adopted. It is really confusion and disorder from a scriptural point of view. But we must bear in mind that in the very mixed condition which prevails in the religious sphere God respects those who act with a good conscience, according to the measure of light which they have. And if a company of pious believers pray that they may get a minister who will preach the truth and help them spiritually, it is very possible that God will hear and answer their prayers. Alas! I am afraid that practically such exercises and prayers tend to diminish greatly, and the spiritual quality of the preaching declines very much. This, to a large extent, results from the unscriptural practice of congregations choosing their pastors. In such cases the majority decide, and the majority is rarely composed of the most spiritual elements. The Spirit acts in His sovereignty by whomsoever He will, but He is greatly hindered, and often positively quenched in human systems. It is for us to show them from Scripture, and in actual practice, a more excellent way.
With much love in the Lord,
Yours affectionately in Him,
December 26th, 1942.