Past Guilt Requires Christ’s Atonement
18. A man once went to a store and bought a lot of flour on credit. He afterward dealt much with this trader, but was very careful to promptly pay for every article purchased. After a lapse of time, the merchant presented his bill for the flour and demanded payment. “But,” answered the debtor, “have I not promptly paid for the corn, the molasses, the sugar, and all other things which I have purchased?” “Yes, yes,” responded the creditor, “but are you fool enough to suppose that that cancels your indebtedness for the flour? Who will not condemn the folly of this debtor? And yet millions are thus hoping to cancel their indebtedness to God. Sinner, could and should you henceforth always do just right, it would not in the least degree atone for your past guilt. God has a fearful account against you, which must be remitted through the merits of Christ, or you are doomed to the everlasting chains.