The text yet further signifies that the fountain is not marred by any amount of sin which we have already committed. If there be a fountain opened on purpose to remove filth, that man must be insane who shall say that his need of washing is a barrier to prevent his using it. Shall I stand outside the bath and say, “I am prevented from bathing because I am filthy”? everyone detects at once my illogical talk. If the fountain is open for sin, then sin is a qualification for washing in it. If Christ be a Savior for sinners, then no man may say that on the ground of sin Jesus cannot be his Savior; rather might he say, “The more truly I am a sinner the more surely is Christ Jesus suited to me.” The exceeding heinousness of my sin, though I had been guilty of adultery, of murder, of crimes innumerable, cannot be a preventative to my being washed in the fount of atonement, because on account of my sin that fountain is provided, on purpose to put it away that cleansing flood was poured forth. Yet it ever is of the nature of sin, when the soul begins to know the bitterness of it, to make us fear that sin is a disqualification for mercy, and a reason why we should not believe in Christ Jesus the great propitiation for sin. O sinner, do not believe that sin unfits thee for a Savior, but believe that the Redeemer is come on purpose to save such as thou art. Some little time ago an earnest lady seeking the good of others, met with a poor girl some twenty years of age, who had most fearfully fallen and become a gross sinner, though still so young. She talked with her frequently, and at last saw in her tokens of repentance, but the poor girl’s complaint was, “I can never be restored, I am so bad, nobody would ever take notice of me.” “Have you not a mother?” “No,” said the girl, “she died years ago.” “Have you not a father?” “Yes, but I have not heard of him for years.” “Does he know where you are?” “No, I do not want he should.” “Do not you think he would receive you back into his house?” “No, that I know he would not, I could not expect him to do so; if I were in his place I would not receive such a one as I am.” “Have you ever written to him since you have gone astray?” “No, I have kept out of the way of everybody that knew me; I do not want anybody to know what I am.” “Have you tried your father whether he will receive you?” “No, I knew it was no good, pray do not mention it.” “But,” said the good sister, “who can tell? I think I will try and see if your father will receive you now that you are truly penitent for the past.” “Oh, yes, I hate the sin, but my father would not receive me, it is of no use to ask him.” “Well,” said the visitor, “I will try;” and so she wrote a note to the father, giving him the daughter’s address, telling him about her repentance, and entreating that she might be forgiven. What do you suppose was the reply? The next post brought the penitent girl a letter, on the envelope of which was written in large letters, “IMMEDIATE;” and when she opened it—well, I cannot tell you all her father said, but it just came to this, “Come and welcome, I am ready to forgive you; I have been praying night and day that you might be restored to me.” Now, just what that father was to his poor lost girl, in tenderness and readiness to forgive, God is to sinners; if there be any unwillingness it is not on his part, it is all in their hearts, for the answer to every prayer for mercy is, God is ready, nay, he waiteth to be gracious, his heart yearneth over his erring ones. “How shall I give thee up?” saith he; “How shall I make thee as Adam how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man.” Our guilt therefore is no legitimate reason why we should not avail ourselves of the provisions of grace.
Neither is there any effectual barrier in the consideration of our inward sinfulness. If you say, “I could not be a Christian, I have such a bad disposition, I could not become holy it is impossible.” This is true so far as you are concerned, but things impossible with men are possible with God. There is a fountain open for this very reason that this uncleanness of yours might be put away. Christ’s blood will prove more than a match for the evil of your heart; his Spirit can renew you, make you a new creature, and from this day forward the things you hated you shall love, and the evil things you have delighted in shall become detestable to you. Is it not written, “Behold, I make all things new”?
The fountain of cleansing is not sealed by any demands in the gospel requiring one to prepare yourself for it before you come. The fountain is open, and if you are filthy, you are welcome to come to it. All that is asked of you is that you believe in Jesus; this he gives you, it is his own work in you. You must also repent and hate the sin which you have committed; this also he works in you, causing you by his Spirit to loathe the sin which aforetime you delighted in. Had there been a sort of purgatorial preparation, had there been a kind of quarantine through which the sinner had to pass before he could be renewed and forgiven, then were not the fountain completely open; but between you, a sinner, and acceptation before God, there need not be even a step of delay; believe now, and by believing you shall obtain the perfect pardon and the renewal of your soul.
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
