Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

Sowing and Reaping

Proverbs 1:24-26.

What makes this passage so very solemn is, that it is the close, the finish, as we say. This is very serious indeed. The Book of Proverbs refers to the government of God upon the earth; and therefore the judgment here, though of God, and final, does not go beyond judgment in this world. It is man in this world, dealt with in his responsibility.

1st. The call, or voice of God, now comes from the place where Christ is witness to the perfection and completion of His work. Let me say the present call of God is based on the perfection of Christ’s finished work. The One who put away sin is now on the heavenly side of the grave. He died unto sin once, now He liveth unto God. Besides, the presence of the Holy Ghost here on earth is a testimony to the completeness and sufficiency of the cross. But, besides all this, the call of God is sent forth in many channels. Did He not speak to you by your recent sorrow? Has that late suffering of yours nothing of God’s voice in it? Is there not in your very conscience, at this moment, a voice that tells you that if you were now to die you would be lost for ever? Be assured, reader, God has not left Himself without abundant witness to the patient, long-suffering character of His grace.

2nd. We have here also man’s refusal: “I have called, AND YE REFUSED.” How solemn this is! Refused is the word the blessed God uses to describe the way in which man treats His call. This refusal does not always take the same shape or form, but refusal it is: sometimes, in so many words, it is an open avowal of dislike to the subject at all costs; very often it is a kind of indifferentism; and most frequently it is a procrastination, which promises to itself a more convenient season — a season, let me add, which in most cases never comes; but let the character be what it may, it all ranks in God’s eyes as refusal. “I have called, and ye refused.” Reader, if you are still out of Christ, there is a little hell within you at this moment, even as the ebbs and pulsations of the sea within the harbour walls are but an indication, a reminder of the dread roll of the ocean a thousand miles outside. Reader, think of these words; you in your turn calling, but the call is too late. The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and you are not saved. No more insensibility now! no more procrastination now! No gospel no peace, no hope! One voice rolls its long sadness over ages of ages for ever: “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.”

This, as I have stated, is the doom of those who hearken not to wisdom. There was no love, or submission to the truth: their ease and prosperity and carelessness will be their destruction. As regards those who walk in a different road, in wisdom’s ways, how striking the contrast! — “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” (Chapter 3:13-17.) W T Turpin.

“The Closed Door “

Late! late! too late!
    Ye cannot enter in.
The door is shut, in vain ye wait,
   The Bridegroom’s gone within.
The hour of mercy now is o’er;
Judgment hath closed the open door;
Judgment from Him whose grace before
    Ye spurn’d from love of sin!

Late! late! too late!
    Ye cannot enter now.
The music wakes within the gate,
   The garlands crown the brow.
The heavenly strains that reach your ear,
Their very sweetness makes most drear;
Filling your hearts with boding fear,
    Ye cannot enter now!

Late! late! too late!
    Why came ye not before?
Did He not long with patience wait,
    And open keep the door?
Did He not many a message send?
Did He not woo you as a friend?
Why did ye not His voice attend?
    The day of grace is o’er!

Late! late! too late!
    Ye cannot enter now.
Barr’d, and for ever, is the gate —
    Mercy averts her blow.
The voice that call’d you to repent
Hath sworn, and He will not relent;
Your day of mercy all is spent,
    Ye cannot enter now!