331. ROM 10:13. THE PLAN OF SALVATION

Rom_10:13. The Plan of Salvation

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."’97Rom_10:13

This passage forms a part of a celebrated prophecy by Joel, and which is now quoted by the apostle Peter, to illustrate the miraculous events of the day of Pentecost. It is clear, however, that the latter part of the prophecy refers to some great calamitous scenes’97most likely to the destruction of Jerusalem. Now, let us read the original prophecy, Joe_2:28; and then turn to one of Christ’s predictions. See Luk_21:16. The literal application of the text, then, is to those who were delivered from the destruction of Jerusalem, by believing Christ’s words, and watching for the signs, and calling upon the name of the Lord. But the text need not thus be restricted; for there is a parallel passage in Rom_10:13; when the apostle is giving an illustration of the preaching of the gospel, and of the way of salvation. Now, we shall just take the text as it is presented before us. Observe then,

I. The universal Offer of Salvation.

"Whosoever." I wish this evening to lay it down as a most important truth, that God never did hate any of his creatures; and therefore, that he never did render the destruction of any of them inevitably certain. It is obvious,

1. That there is no national restriction.

All nations, and people, and tongues, are freely invited, &c. Greek, Jew, Barbarian, &c.

2. There is no restriction as to mental grade.

Christianity does not exclude the philosopher, nor men of science, (Newton, Locke, Boyle, Milton, Sir W. Jones, Addison;) yet it does not exclude the illiterate, the ignorant of mankind. The poorest and most debased savage is welcome.

3. There is no restriction as to temporal circumstances.

The rich and noble are not excluded: only, it is required that they be not highminded; nor love, nor trust in their riches, but in the living God. Nor are the poorest. No; God is deeply interested in the poor. Christ said, "Go, and tell John," &c. The gospel is preached, &c. Lazarus, &c.

4. No restriction as to sex or age.

It is a fact, that everywhere woman is debased, insulted, and treated with contemptible inferiority, but where the gospel prevails. Go to the atheistical religion of China. Go to the Mohammedanism of Turkey. Go to the cruel rites of Hindooism. But the gospel elevates the weaker sex, and makes her equal in all its advantages and blessings. Nor age. Whosoever includes all. From when reason is just dawning, to the aged sire. "Out of the mouths of babes," &c. Christ’s religion, I mean the essentials, are so simple and easy; and even cold, indifferent, rebellious old age is not spurned. See the parable of the vineyard, &c.

5. No restriction as to moral condition.

The gospel is a system of purest morals, extending even to the thoughts. So, of course, it is freely offered to the moral man, whom education, &c., has preserved from the grosser contagions of sin. Yes, these are all welcome. But also the vilest skeptic. See the penitent Rochester. That daring, rebellious spirit who has outraged society. Despicable. Totally debased; yet he is not beyond the pale of the gospel offer. Publicans, harlots, thieves, murderers, &c. What shall I say? "All manner of sin," &c. Do we not then see the richness of this one word, "Whosoever." If so, let me pass,

II. To the appointed Way of Salvation,

Whosoever shall "call," &c. Now, here are three things.

1. The object to which our attention is directed, "The Lord." Doubtless, the true Jehovah. He is the God of salvation. None can save but he, Isa_63:5; Jer_23:3. No man can redeem his brother. No power but God’s can raise the soul from darkness, death, &c.,to light, and life. Then there is,

2. The mode of approach specified.

"Call." In other words, pray. "Call upon me in the day of trouble," &c. Now, it indicates a sense,

(1) Of distress and peril. None will call until they feel this. Peter, when he was sinking, said, "Lord, save," &c. Disciples, when they saw their peril, "called," &c. Jailer called. Saul called &c.

(2) Helplessness. A sense of our total insufficiency. We must be sensible of this, feel this, &c.

(3) The solicitation for aid. Lord, save me. God, be merciful, &c. Now, in soliciting this aid, we must have respect to Christ only as the ground of hope. We are rebels, outcasts; but we plead the Sonship of Jesus. We are disobedient; we plead his obedience. We are polluted; we plead his purity. We are guilty; we plead his atoning death. We are condemned; we plead his resurrection, and his intercession, at God’s right hand. Christ is the only way to the Father. Salvation in none other. There is one God, &c.

3. The absoluteness of the promise.

Whosoever, &c., "shall be saved." God cannot lie. He will not forswear himself. It is his glory to save. He delighteth in mercy, &c. Show us the person who sincerely, humbly, and in Christ’s name, called, and was rejected. There never was such a one, and there never will be.

Application

1. Adore God for the extensiveness of salvation.

2. Bless God for the easy, gratuitous way of saltation.

3. Comply now with the gracious invitation of salvation.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS