Resistance to Salvation
“AND CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, AND SAID, WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH THEE, JESUS, THOU SON OF TFIE MOST HIGH GOD? I ADJURE THEE BY God, THAT THOU TORMENT ME NOT.”-
Markv. 1.
THE coming of Jesus into a place puts all into commotion.
The gospel is a great disturber of sinful peace. Like the sun among wild beasts, owls, and bats, it creates a stir. In this case, a legion of devils began to move.
I. TlIE DEVIL CRIES OUT AGAINST THE INTRUSION OF
CHRIST. “What have I to do with thee?”
1. Christ’s nature is so contrary to that of the devil
that war is inevitable as soon as Jesus
comes upon the scene.
2. There are no designs of grace for Satan, and,
therefore, as he has nothing to hope for
from Jesus, he dreads his coming.
3. He wishes to be let alone; for thoughtlessness,
stagnation, and despair suit his plans.
4. He knows his powerlessness against the Son of
the Most High God, and has no wish to try a fall with him.
5. He dreads his doom; for Jesus will not hesitate
(120)
to torment him by the sight of good done, and evil overcome.
II. MEN UNDER THE DEVII/S INFLUENCE CRY OUT AGAINST THE INCOMING OF CHRIST BY THE GOSPEL.
1. Conscience is feared by them: they do not wish
to have it disturbed, instructed, and placed in power.
2. Change is dreaded by them; for they love sin,
and its gains, and pleasures, and know that Jesus wars with these things.
3. They claim a right to be let alone: this is their
idea of religious liberty. They would not be questioned either by God or man.
4. They argue that the gospel cannot bless them.
They expect nothing from it, for they do not know its rich benedictions, or the power of sovereign, almighty grace.
They think themselves too poor, too ignorant, too busy, too sinful, too weak, too involved, and perhaps too aged, to receive any good from the gospel.
5. They view Jesus as a tormentor, who will rob
them of pleasure, sting their consciences, and drive them to obnoxious duties. Therefore they cry out, u What have we to do with thee?”
III. SOBER MEN CAN ANSWER THESE OUTCRIES.
They endeavor to answer the question — “What have I to do with thee?” They remember a fact, and make an inquiry.
122 MY SEEIMO^-T^OTES.
1. I have to do with him inevitably.
He has come to save, and 1 am responsible
for accepting or refusing his grace. I am his creature, as he is the Son of God, and
he has power over me, and a right to my
obedience. I am under his rule, and he will judge me at
the last day.
2. Has he to do with me graciously?
He has to do with me by the gospel which he
has sent me. He has abundantly much to do with me if he
has wrought in me repentance, faith, prayer,
etc. He has everything to do with me if he has
bestowed on me pardon, peace, sanctification, etc.
IV. MEN SAVED FROM SATAN RAISE AN OPPOSITE CRY.
According to the instance before us in the narrative —
1. They beg to sit at Jesus’ feet, clothed, and in
their right mind.
2. They ask to be with him always, and never to
cease from personal attendance upon him.
3. They go at his bidding, and publish abroad
what great things Jesus has done for them.
4. Henceforth they have nothing to do but to live
for Jesus, and for him alone.
Come, ye despisers, and see yourselves as in a looking-glass!
Look until you see yourselves transformed.
CASES m POINT.
Conversion is feared as a great danger by natural men, lest the promises put them on the pain and labor of godliness; for men do flee nothing but that which they apprehend as evil, dangerous, and so the true object of fear. Now, when Felix and Agrippa were both upon the wheel of the great Potter, I can not say that conversion formally was begun, yet materially it was. The one trembled, and so was afraid and fled, and did put Paul away till another time. He saw the danger of grace (Acts xxiv. 25, 26), and fled from it. The other said that he was half a Christian (but it was the poorer half), and “he arose, and went aside.” (Acts xxvi. 28, 30, 31.) “Their eyes they have closed; lost at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” (Matt. xiii. 15.) In which words it is evident that conversion is feared as an evil.
A wretch once jested that he was once in danger to be catched, when a Puritan preacher, as he said, “was preaching with divine power, and evidence of the Spirit of God.” — Samuel Rutherford.
It is said that Voltaire, being pressed in his last moments to acknowledge the divinity of Christ, turned away, and said feebly,” For the love of God, don’t mention that Man — allow me to die in peace ‘/
A number of young men were sitting together in a country store one evening, telling what they did not believe, and what they were not afraid to do. Finally, the leader in the group remarked that so far as he was concerned, he would be willing at any time to sign away all his interest in Christ for a five-dollar bill. “What did I understand you to say? “asked an old farmer, who happened to be in the store, and who had overheard the remark.” I said that for five dollars I would sign away all my interest in Christ, and so I will.” The old farmer, who had learned to know the human heart pretty well, drew out his leathern wallet, took therefrom a five-dollar bill, and put it in the storekeeper’s hand. Then calling for ink and paper, he said: “My young friend, if you will just step to the desk now, and write as I dictate, the money is yours. “The young man took the pen, and began: “In the presence of these witnesses, I, A — - B, for the sum of five dollars
received, do now, once for all, and for ever, sign away all my interest “— then he dropped the pen, and with a forced smile said: “I take it back, I was only fooling” That young man did not dare to sign that paper. Why? He had an accusing conscience. He knew that there was a God. He believed in religion. He meant to be a Christian some time. And so do you, reader. Notwithstanding your apparent indifference, your trifling conduct, your boasting speech, you would not to-day for ten thousand dollars sign away, if such a thing were possible, your interest in Jesus Christ. You do not desire or expect to lose heaven. — The Congregationalist (American).