image of God, in perfect holiness and righteousness.  That they lost this concreate [tr. note:  sic] ability through the fall is no reason why God should change or abrogate His Law.  He purposes to help them in another way, by sending them His Son for a Redeemer, who fulfils the Law in their stead.  But this wonderful plan of God for the rescue of lost man is not appreciated by any one who still believes, as the Catholics do, that he has some good powers in him left which he can develop with the help of God to such an extent that he can make himself righteous.  To such a person Jesus says to-day as He said to the rich young man:  “Keep the commandments!” That means, since you believe in your ability, proceed to employ it.  Your reward is sure, provided only you do what the Law demands.  But just as surely the curse of God rests on you if you do not do it.  When you have become convinced that it is impossible to fulfil the Law, you may ask a different question, a question which the knowledge of your spiritual disability has wrested from you as it did from the jailer at Philippi:  “What must I do to be saved?” and you will not receive the answer:  “Keep the commandments!” but:  “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” (Acts 16, 29. 30.) Not a word will be said any more about anything that you must do.  You will be told:  All that you ought to have done has been accomplished by One who died with the exclamation:  “It is finished!” (John 19, 30), and who now sends His messengers abroad inviting men to His free salvation:  “Come, for all things are now ready!” (Luke 14, 17.) “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not?  Hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good” (Is. 55, 1. 2.) When you have wearied yourself to death by your efforts to achieve righteousness, as Paul did when he was still the Pharisee Saul of Tarsus, as Luther did while he was still in the bondage of popery, when you have become hot in your confused and despairing mind against God and the Law, which you cannot fulfil, you will appreciate the voice that calls to you as it has called to millions before you:  “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11, 28.) And if you are wise, then, with the wisdom which the Spirit gives the children of God, you will not delay a minute, but come rejoicing that you need not get salvation by works, and will sing: 

     Just as I am, without one plea
     But that Thy blood was shed for me,
     And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
     O Lamb of God, I come, I come!