HOPE FOR THE WORST OF CASES

"If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him. But if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him?" -I Samuel 2:25 [KJV]

It is a very solemn thing to behold a trembling convicted malefactor, when standing before an earthly tribunal, although the judge is of the same nature with himself: for every thing is solemn, earnest, and impartial. But what is the awfulness of a court of human judicature, compared to that Day, in which a whole world, all found guilty before God, shall stand before the judgment-seat of Christ?  

In this life, there is, for the most part, somewhat to mitigate, and to excite hope in the worst of cases: some tender-hearted friend, some kind neighbour, some feeling relation, will be found to arise, to soften, if not able to relieve, the guilty man's distress. But at that tribunal, where none can plead, and where all hearts are open, What shall be found to stop the overwhelming horrors of the condemned? 

Pause, my soul, over the view, for it is solemn. If one man sin against another, thus breaking the law, the judge shall Judge him; and who is the judge but Jesus? Here He that is the Judge, is also the Advocate of His people; yea, their surety, their law-fulfiller; so that, as the apostle was commissioned to tell the church, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the propitiation for our sins," 1 John 2:1,2. Precious thought! Soul-supporting consolation! To all the sins and offences, both against God and man, the believer may plead the blood and righteousness of Jesus, as the law-Fulfiller and ransom paid for sin.  

But if a man sin against the Lord Himself, by rejecting this counsel of God against his own soul, who then shall entreat for Him? For the only Advocate, he slights; the only propitiation, he disclaims; and as there is salvation in no other, and there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, to whom, in that awful day of God, will he look; or who but Jesus could take up his cause?  

Oh! ye that know not Christ, or ye that slight Him, think, before it be too late, what paleness, dread, and horror, must arrest that soul, which, when weighed in the balances, shall be found wanting! Cherish, my soul, the blessedness of thy hope, which is founded wholly on the Mediator's righteousness; and resteth on what can never fail of acceptance, because founded both on the merit of Christ, and God the Father's own appointment; redemption in the blood of the Lamb, and being made accepted in the Beloved. 

-Robert Hawker (1753-1827 A.D.)