A Solemn Question by James Harvey Waggoner

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · Sep 9, 1875

A Solemn Question.

By James Harvey Waggoner

Two men were conversing in the tent at the close of a meeting. One seemed to be making excuses, as though we were too particular on some points. Said the other, We must consider how God regards sin. If one sin involved the whole race in ruin, how must God regard the condition of the race in their multitude of sins? How does he look upon our daily sins?

A great error prevails in regard to God's estimate of the nature and desert of sin. Many seem to think that sin is easily set aside now, since Christ has died; that God does not greatly abhor it, if we only have faith in Christ. This laxity of morality and disregard of the precept of the law because of faith in Christ, is a perversion of the gospel, and a standing reproach to the cause of Christianity. Jesus said that his coming into the world removed all cloak or excuse for sin. Paul regarded it as impossible to escape if we neglect so great salvation as is brought to us in the gospel. That is, our sins are more inexcusable and blamable now than if Jesus had not died. The sinner now not only tramples on the holy law of God, but he despises the blood of the covenant of grace. Violation of the law is rebellion against the authority of God: neglect of the gospel is adding to that rebellion by the abuse of his mercy. By the first the justice of God is dishonored; by the second his love is trampled under foot.

We learn somewhat of God's hatred of sin by his dealing with Adam, and with the race of which Adam was the head. But if we wish to know more fully how God abhors sin, we must go to Gethsemane and to Calvary. See Jesus in his agony praying that if it be possible the bitter cup may pass from him. Behold him on the cross, as he cries out in the anguish of his soul, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me." Why did he endure all this? Because his Father's law had been transgressed, and he was "magnifying the law and making it honorable" (Isa. 42 : 21), by suffering its desert, that God "may be just, and the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus." Rom. 3 : 26.

O sinner, if the blessed Son of God thus suffered because sin was laid upon him for the sake of man, how will you appear before God in the Judgment with your many sins upon your head?

"Will you see him bleed in vain? Still to death pursue your Lord? Open tear those wounds again? Trample on his precious blood?"

"Shall we sin that grace may abound? God

forbid." "He that sinneth is the servant of sin." Jesus came—not as the minister of sin, but the minister of righteousness— to save his people from their sins; to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. To put away whose sin? Not his own, for he had none. Does he, can he, put away our sin if we continue to sin?

His heart is yet grieved by the reproach put upon his Father's law by the transgressor, and by the carnal professor who seeks to "make void the law through faith." Blessed Saviour, help us to follow thee in thy love to do the Father's will. To be fully reconciled so that we may "delight in the law of God after the inward man." J. H. W.