0311. PHYSICIANS OF NO VALUE.

PHYSICIANS OF NO VALUE.

Job_13:4.

The past and present condition of Job certainly forms a most suggestive contrast. Those who know anything about the stripping process know also the value of sincere comforters. Here then is a man with every earthly comfort and hope cut off. Let us put ourselves in his position, as utterly destitute and helpless, crying out for salvation. Let us call in the worldly-wise physicians, and ask them, "What must I do to be saved?" (Act_16:30).

I. Doctor Atheist. "There is no God" (Psa_14:1). "All things continue as they were from the beginning" (2Pe_3:4). There is no hereafter, you need not trouble about these things. In our anxiety we ask him. "How do you know there is no God? Have you searched every corner of the universe to see?" Puny man! A physician of no value.

II. Doctor Agnostic. The prescription of this would-be healer is, "No man can know anything about the future, all is uncertain." If I cannot be sure, why have I a conscience? Why do I long and pant for certainty? I am conscious of sin, why can I not be conscious of forgiveness? No value.

III. Doctor No Hell. This old gentleman, dressed up in modern fashion, declares you need not fear, "God is merciful, and will never punish any of the sons of Adam." But, I gasp, if there is no judgment hereafter, why do the wicked prosper here? No Hell! I am so tormented with an awakened conscience that I myself already am Hell. A physician of no value.

IV. Doctor False Peace. This sweet-faced, oily-tongued quack, says, "Peace, peace, this is just excitement, time is a great healer." But the inward storm and tempest does not obey him. My hungry soul needs bread. This "Be ye fed," where there is nothing to eat, is miserable comfort. It is like saying to a condemned man, "Peace, peace, when there is no peace."

V. Doctor Good Enough. This man has a manner that would suit an angel. His prescription for a sin-convicted soul is, "You never did any body any harm; you have always paid your way. What more can any one do?" But I am convinced that I have sinned against God, though man has nothing against me. His holiness condemns me. How can I, a law-breaker, be justified with God. Your diagnosis is entirely false.

VI. Doctor Do Better. This so-called physician is very talkative. It is quite true, he says, you are very bad, but you must just try and do better in the future. But I feel that my very righteousness is filthy rags in the sight of God; besides, how will my doing better in the future blot out the guilty past? You are a physician of no value.

VII. Doctor Time Enough. Yes, you ought to be concerned about your soul, but there is no hurry, you can get saved on your death-bed. But how am I to know that I may ever have a death-bed? Life is uncertain. Death may come suddenly and seal in a moment my awful doom for eternity. You are a physician of no value.

VIII. Doctor Too Late. With solemn tones he says, "Can do nothing for you. You should have sent for me sooner." But in an agony of despair I cry, "Is it impossible for Almighty God to meet my need." Avaunt, you miserable comforters! Vain is the help of man. O Christ, Thou bleeding Lamb of God, I flee to Thee to hide me!

IX. The Great Physician, with a still, small voice, says, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Mat_11:28). His Word is with power, and the healing virtue is given. Who is your doctor? (Psa_40:1-3).

Autor: James Smith