The Greatest Reconciliation by W. E. Haskell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 25, 1909

The Greatest Reconciliation

By W. E. Haskell

— No. 5

The Great Impostor Exposed

W. E. HASKELL

Those who are of a sensitive and sympathetic nature suffer keenly in the suffering of others. When those who do not know that God is love, come in immediate contact with some of life's tragedies, and realize that such instances are multiplied by the millionfold throughout the earth, and that all this has been multiplied many fold through the ages of the past,—as they thus catch a glimpse of the great flood of human sorrow, misery, and anguish which has been overwhelming the earth; the wrongs and injustice of individuals and nations; the disappointed hopes, broken hearts, and blighted lives,—the query is forced upon them, “Can God be love, if, knowing all this beforehand, he has permitted it to continue so long?”

But sin is the greatest impostor in the world; it is an enemy in disguise; like Judas, it betrays with a kiss. It is our greatest foe masked as truest friend. It entered the government of God, pretending to be a reformer in the interest of his subjects.

To have destroyed sin immediately, while it appeared as a benefactor, would have given weight to its claims and accusations against God. So sin must be allowed opportunity to prove its claims, and to exhibit its boasted superiority. For the good of all, it must be given time to manifest its true character, and work out its own exposure.

On this earth has been set in vivid contrast the two ways,—the two kingdoms,—sin and righteousness. By this contrast each throws clearer light on the other, thus revealing more distinctly the beauty and glory of righteousness, and the horror and shame of sin. Just in proportion as the way and law of righteousness have been obeyed, have “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,” been realized upon earth. Just in proportion as the way and law of sin have been followed, have there been strife, confusion, violence, and every evil work.

So in this world sin has been on trial before the universe, and its terrible record of blight and ruin and misery wherever it reigns demonstrates its complete failure, and exposes the falsehood of its every claim. It has been seen that sin in its outcome is the hatred of all that is true and good and beautiful and excellent in character. This has been shown in the lives of Abel, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, and multitudes of others. But God determined to let sin expose itself to the utmost. Acts 4:26-28.

“In the character of Christ was blended such majesty as God had never before displayed to fallen man, and such meekness as man had never developed. Never before had there walked among men one so noble, so pure, so benevolent, so conscious of his godlike nature; yet so simple, so full of plans and purposes to do good to humanity.” Yet “Satan stood ready to assail him at every step.”

Never did sin so fully manifest itself as it did in pursuing Jesus from the manger to the cross. Here the contrast and the exposure reached its climax. Here the mask was completely removed. Sin was stripped of its every disguise, and stood uncovered in all the dread reality of its true malignity of character.

Surging against the cross in all its fury, beat the storm of sin's hatred and wrath, encircling it with its own darkness and gloom. Out from that cross—out of the thick darkness—shines the light and glory of the righteousness of God. Righteousness was shown to be love in its perfection. Sin was exposed as being hatred and selfishness in its fulness. On the cross, at the very time when God was revealing in its fulness his infinite love for the sinner, sin was revealing in its fulness hatred of infinite love.

Sin plotted to dethrone God in heaven (Isa. 14:12-14), and has usurped his throne in the human heart. 1 Cor. 6:19; Mark 7:21, 22; Rom. 5:21. Unless we now become workers with Christ in dethroning sin, we shall be workers with sin in the final attempt to dethrone God. Rev. 20:6-9.

Your sins and mine helped to drive the nails in the hands of the Prince of life; helped to pierce his side, and to separate between him and his Father, and to break his heart. Will you now unite with sin in the conspiracy to usurp Christ's throne in your heart, or in fellowship with Christ seek to dethrone this greatest impostor?

Brayton, Tenn.