There Is Hope for the Outcast.
By S. H. Carnahan
IN the more common use of the term "outcast," it is one who has become an adulteress and by her life cut herself off from general society; or, in the case of men, those who have been guilty of murder, theft, rapine, and the like, until they have come to be looked upon as unfit for society. Custom makes some sins and crimes appear much worse than others. What man looks upon as the worst may not be so sinful in God's sight; for He judges by the motive that prompted the act, rather than by the overt act alone. There may be violations of the laws of the civil government which are crimes, yet not sins. And people may commit sins yet not be guilty of any crime in the eyes of man. "Sin is the transgression of the law"—God's law. 1 John 3:4. It may be a wilful sin, or a sin of ignorance. It may be apparently a very small thing; yet it is sin: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all"—condemned by the law. James 2:10. Our sinful words and actions proceed from the heart. Mark 7:21. The apostle John says, "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer." 1 John 3:15. And Jesus said, "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matt. 5:28. Thus we see that these things touch the thoughts and intents of the heart. And naturally "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jer. 17:9. None but God, whose word is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, which pierces to its very depth and reveals all its hidden springs." Jer. 17:10; Heb. 4:12. Hence let all come to this word and Saviour; and with the psalmist cry: "Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Thy loving-kindness:
According unto the multitude of thy tender
mercies
Blot out all my transgressions.
"Wash me thoroly from mine iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions:
And my sin is ever before me."
"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
"Hide Thy face from my sins,
And blot out all mine iniquities.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God;
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence;
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me."
Ps. 51: 1-3, 7, 9-11. The Saviour says, "Ye must be born again." John 3:7. And when this change takes place, we become "new creatures" (2 Cor. 5:17), and our desires and aspirations are changed. Many persons in this world have not been so unfortunate as to be overcome by the greater crimes, and thus be thrown behind the bars, or be ostracized by society; and such are inclined to point the finger of scorn at the ones that are down, instead of lending a hand to help them up. And a shame it is, too, that this is especially the case with women toward their fallen sisters, and often with parents when their daughters have been disgraced. Let me appeal to you, fellow beings and Christians, when you see one "sin a sin not unto death," do not give him a slur and a kick; but with a kind word and a lift help such a one up; knowing "that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." James 5:20. Jesus came not to "call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matt. 9:13. And I assure you, dear fallen ones, that even when your father and mother forsake you, the Lord will take you up if you will only seek Him and cast yourselves and your cares upon Him; for "He careth for you." Read Ps. 27:10; 1 Peter 5:7; John 6:37. God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34. But He does respect character, for He "resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6; Ps. 51:17. Read the parable of the man that had two sons (Matt. 21:28-32), who represent the two classes: the self-righteous, which pretend to obey God; and the other, which disregard the Lord, but afterward repent and obey. Some who condemn the harlots and other sinners shall at last lose eternal life, while the harlots and publicans who repent will be saved. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked: but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die." Eze. 33:11. "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." O, sinner, join in the response, "Behold, we come unto Thee; for Thou art the Lord our God." Jer. 3:22. In that day when the Lord shall come with the sound of the trumpet, He shall assemble the outcasts of Israel—all those that have made a covenant of peace with Him by a living sacrifice thru faith. Isa. 11:12; 27:13; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.