Just with God by C. H. Keslake

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 30, 1912

Just with God

By C. H. Keslake

JOB (chapter 9:2) asks a question that concerns all mankind. That question is, "How should man be just with God?" That is to say, How can a man get right with God? This of itself is enough to show that instead of man's being right with God now, he is all wrong.

As to this question asked by Job, it is not only true that it concerns all mankind, but it is the most important question that can possibly be asked, for upon the correct answer to it depends man's eternal salvation.

When God made man, He made him upright. Eccl. 7:29. There was not a flaw in him, either mentally, physically, or morally. He was made no less than in the image of God. Gen. 1:26, 27. But now, beginning with our first parents in the Garden of Eden, we find that man is all wrong. How is this?

Man All Wrong

The apostle Paul, in his wonderful letter to the Romans, shows clearly how it is that man is all wrong. He says that it is by the act of one man. That one act of that one man is described by three different words,—"sin," "offense," "disobedience."

Thus we read (chapter 5:12, 18, 19): "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." "Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation." "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners," etc. Then sin is an offense, and is expressed in an act of disobedience. And in this way it is that man has become all wrong. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23. It must be plain, therefore, to every intelligent reader, that if ever man shall become just, or right (righteous), with God, he must cease to sin, cease to offend, cease to disobey.

The scriptures cited above reveal that as the consequence of sin, death passed upon all men, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, many—all—were made sinners. In other words, men became all wrong. And in that, too, they became the enemies of God. Rom. 5:10. They became possessed of the carnal mind, which is "enmity [implacable hatred] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:7. Thus it was that all men "walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation [conduct] in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." Eph. 2:2, 3. To Titus, the apostle Paul wrote, "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." Titus 3:3.

Certainly when the above scriptures describe our case, we are all wrong. And is it any wonder that we were left "without strength" (Rom. 5:6) to do aught that is good? How then should a man be just, or right, with God?

In answering this question, let us be careful to note—for it is vital—that God meets us when we are absolutely without strength to do anything to change our condition or alter our course of life. Thus we read (Rom. 5:6), "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." It will be evident, therefore, that the mischief wrought by one man (Adam), independent of any action of our own, is to be undone by Christ, the second Adam; and that, too, independent of any action of our own, for we have seen that we were "yet without strength." And so again we read: "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified [made righteous] by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7.

We have seen that "by one man's disobedience many were made sinners." We must see, too, that it is "by the obedience of one"—Christ—that many shall "be made righteous." Rom. 5:19. This can mean nothing less than that if we will but accept (by faith, for there is no other way) Christ's perfect obedience, which will cover all our offenses, in the place of our disobedience, we shall at once become just, or right (righteous), with God. And that means life eternal. "For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:17. Truly we may exclaim with Paul, "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." 2 Cor. 9:15.

Our Disobedience and His Obedience

In all things in which we were disobedient, Christ was obedient; and then while we were "yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." And again it is written: "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . . . For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more [blessed words!], being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" of obedience.

This, then, is the divine process by which we are to become just (righteous) with God, — wholly and solely by His sovereign grace.

And just think! By it all we obtain life for death, righteousness for sin, strength for weakness, obedience for disobedience. Yes, all this—and much more.

And now, receiving all the benefits, royal gifts from our divine Benefactor, shall we, can we, manifest hatred or enmity to God's holy law, the transgression of which brought sin and all its wo into this world? We can not; for the obedience He gives us, and which we accept by faith, will be manifested in our lives. This is inevitable; for He died for all, "that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again." 2 Cor. 5:15.

And this, kind reader, is just the reason, or rather one of the reasons, why so many Christians are turning to observe the seventh-day Sabbath; for Christ kept that day in obedience to His Father's law—which obedience He gives all who believe.

St. Johns, Newfoundland.