God's Law and Forgiveness
By F. M. Oliver
NOW we know that God heareth not sinners: but, if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth." John 9:31. The young man who stated this grand truth, was just a short while before only a poor, blind beggar. From his birth he had not been able to see the light of day or to view the beauties of nature. But now he could not only see, but could discern enough spiritual truth to bring condemnation to the hearts of the proud Pharisees. These men had turned away from not only the Lord Jesus, but His law as well; and they would do almost anything to keep the people from believing on Christ. So they said, "Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner." Verse 24. They were ready to cast any one out who would confess Jesus as the Christ; and the parents of the young man, fearing excommunication, said: "By what means he now seeth, we know not; . . . ask him: he shall speak for himself." Verse 21. They feared the people, and loved the praise of man more than the praise of God. The son represents the true follower of Jesus. He faced the frowning Pharisees, and with undaunted courage confessed his Healer. They who had closed their eyes to God's Word, and were as blind spiritually as this man had been physically, reviled him, and cast him out—excommunicated him. But Christ, knowing that he had been cast out, came to him with such comforting words that the young man believed on Him and worshiped Him. When friends, fathers, and mothers forsake us, then the Lord will take us up. We must be willing "to speak for ourselves," and to choose the right, no matter if all the world should forsake us. Mark 10:29, 30. The wise teachers of Christ's day would make the people believe that Jesus was a commandment-breaker. John 9:16. They were trying to destroy the work that Christ came to do. They had turned their backs upon the true God. They had forgotten His law, and were teaching instead, the traditions of men. Mark 7:5-9. The day Christ healed this man, was the Sabbath; and for this act of mercy the Jews said He was a sinner. Yet at the very time, they were planning how they might take His life. They were blind to the demands of God's spiritual law; and when the goodness of God was manifested, they were ready to denounce the good as the works of the wicked one. O, the awfulness of departing from God to the extent that we will call, as they did, evil good, and good evil. The Lord is ever ready to hear and to lead those who will give heed to His law; but those who close their ears to the law, He knows afar off. "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." Prov. 28:9. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." Ps. 66:18. He swept away the traditions of the Jews, and said, "Full well ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." While they claimed that Christ's act of healing on the Sabbath was sin, Christ, who would have them see the broadness of God's law, showed that it was the very best way of observing the Sabbath. As He said on another occasion of the like, "It is lawful [according to law] to do well on the Sabbath days." There is a lesson for our day. Men will not come to Him, that they may have life. This young man was not only healed of his physical blindness, but his spiritual eyes were opened, and he saw Christ, and worshiped Him. Reader, have your eyes been opened to God's truths? Are you willing to forsake all things that would keep you from the kingdom of God? Would you know your duty? Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, His Word is the Guide-Book, and it will not lead us in the wrong way. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13.