30 Seek the Lord and Live
Seek the Lord and Live "Seek the Lord, and you shall live!" Amos 5:6 The penalty of sin is death. The separation of man from God, and the punishment of the sinner by the stern justice of God. The law says to the sinner, "You shall surely die!" and this is all that the law can say. But the gospel invites the sinner to come to God for life, to seek God and live. One of its many invitations is, "Seek the Lord, and you shall live! You deserve to die. You are condemned to die. But, in the exercise of my sovereignty, I can save you; I have made provision to do so, at no less a cost than the death of my only-begotten Son; and now I send to you by my servants, inviting, exhorting, yes, beseeching you, to seek me and live." The Warm-hearted Exhortation. Yes, it comes warm from God’s loving heart — it breathes mercy and compassion. It seems to ask, "Why will you die?" It entreats, "Seek the Lord, and you shall live."
What is implied in it? It implies that we are at a distance from God, and are therefore grossly ignorant of God. That we are in danger from the threatenings of the law of God. That we shall never find any satisfaction but in God. That there can be no safety without reconciliation to God. That there is in us an indisposition to seek God. That there is a readiness, on the part of God, to receive us graciously, love us freely, and forgive us eternally.
What is expressed in this exhortation? God should be sought. By WHOM? By all, by each of us, especially the young.
WHEN? Now — immediately, "before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you."
WHERE? At his mercy-seat, where he shows mercy; on his throne, where he dispenses grace; in his house, where he exercises compassion.
HOW? With the whole heart, with a determined will, until successful.
WHAT? Seek the Lord, which is more than think, or wish, or desire. It implies effort, determined persevering effort. Actively seek the Lord. Diligently seek the Lord. Seek as for something of importance, of the greatest importance. Seek as for your life, for an eternity of happiness or woe depends upon it. The Encouraging Promise. "You shall live." Observe, it is absolute, "You shall live." Not you may live, or there is a probability of your being spared. No, you shall certainly live, and live forever. Not one of the threatenings of the law shall be executed on you. Every promise of the gospel shall be fulfilled to you. The highest expectations that can be raised within you, shall be realized by you.
"You shall live." Live, in God’s gracious presence on earth, and in God’s glorious presence in Heaven. Live, in the enjoyment of God’s love, which shall be "shed abroad in your hearts by the Holy Spirit." Live, receiving the visits of the Father and the Son, as it is written, "If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him." Live, freed from all charges, absolved from all sins. The prophet Ezekiel represents the people as asking, "If our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we pine away in them — how should we then live?" But the Lord replies, for the encouragement of the seeking soul, "None of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live." Live, exhibiting God’s truth, and walking by God’s word before man, which was one end of the great atonement, hence we read, "Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed." Live, to the glory of God’s most free, sovereign, and distinguishing grace, as Paul says, "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the Beloved — that we should be to the praise of his glory!" Live, at home in God’s house forever, Jesus is gone to prepare the place, and will come to receive us, and introduce us to it; so that with David we may sing, "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
What a blessing is life, especially life . . .
in God’s presence,
in the enjoyment of God’s love,
receiving God’s visits,
freed from every change,
exhibiting God’s truth,
to the glory of God’s grace,
ultimately, in God’s house,
enjoying his glorious communications forever!
Reader, God requires you to seek him, will you? It is to you he speaks when he says, "Seek the Lord — and you shall live." Many times no doubt, these words have been sounded in your ears already, have you obeyed them? When did you begin to seek him? With what feelings did you seek after him? Where did you seek him? Have you found him? Or have you turned a deaf ear to his exhortation, rejecting all his counsel, and refusing his invitation? Solemn questions these, much, O how much! depends on the answer given them. God promises you life if you seek him — will you accept it and enjoy it! To you it is presented as an act of grace. By you it is needed as a transgressor of God’s law. By you it may be obtained and enjoyed.
You will either receive — or reject it; embrace it — or ungratefully put it from you. God threatens you with eternal death, will you dare it? Have you an arm like God? Can you do battle with the Almighty? Will you despise and pour contempt on the all-merciful God? In what solemn circumstances you are placed, God says, "Seek me." God promises, "If you seek me, you shall live." God threatens, "If you refuse, you shall die in your sins." Will you; can you, despise his mercy, neglect his great salvation, and reject the offer of eternal life? Seek mercy, or despise it — you must. Obtain salvation, or neglect it — you must. Lay hold on eternal life, or put it from you — you must. Which! Which!! O which shall it be!!!