May 11

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous."—Romans 5:19.

WHAT immeasurable harm and loss one sinner may inflict! His sin does not end with himself. When he fancies that he has done with it, its issues and consequences expand in ever-widening circles, until it is impossible to set limits to them. By one man's disobedience many—many—were made sinners. Is there not a solemn lesson, is there not a loud and insistent warning, for me in these words? What if in the great revealing day I should encounter my sin looking out at me from a thousand faces, and upbraiding me from a thousand tongues for the injury I have done?

But what incalculable good and blessing one Saviour can impart! His obedience does not terminate with Himself. It brings life and peace to a multitude which no man can number. Its harvest of souls is boundless and infinite. From all the centuries and all the countries they come to God, through Jesus. On this obedience and this Saviour is my hope built steadfast and stable? Am I one of the many whom it and He make righteous?

Many—I thank my Lord for a word so large and undefined. It is virtually universal. It embraces you and me, and the whole wide world of poor and ruined men. It has room in it for galaxies and constellations "of new worlds as great as this." Let me believe its message. Let me rejoice in its strong consolation. Let me shelter my own bankrupt soul in one of its innumerable crevices and chambers. I cry, with Lancelot Andrewes, "Vouchsafe to me to partake from Jesus of salvation, from Christ of anointing, from the Only-begotten of adoption."

K