Morning
"Without the shedding of blood is no remission."Hebrews 9:22
This
is the voice of unalterable truth. In none of the Jewish ceremonies
were sins, even typically, removed without blood-shedding. In no case,
by no means can sin be pardoned without atonement. It is clear, then,
that there is no hope for me out of Christ; for there is no other
blood-shedding which is worth a thought as an atonement for sin. Am I,
then, believing in him? Is the blood of his atonement truly applied to
my soul? All men are on a level as to their need of him. If we be never
so moral, generous, amiable, or patriotic, the rule will not be altered
to make an exception for us. Sin will yield to nothing less potent than
the blood of him whom God hath set forth as a propitiation. What a
blessing that there is the one way of pardon! Why should we seek
another?
Persons of merely formal religion cannot understand how
we can rejoice that all our sins are forgiven us for Christ's sake.
Their works, and prayers, and ceremonies, give them very poor comfort;
and well may they be uneasy, for they are neglecting the one great
salvation, and endeavouring to get remission without blood. My soul, sit
down, and behold the justice of God as bound to punish sin; see that
punishment all executed upon thy Lord Jesus, and fall down in humble
joy, and kiss the dear feet of him whose blood has made atonement for
thee. It is in vain when conscience is aroused to fly to feelings and
evidences for comfort: this is a habit which we learned in the Egypt of
our legal bondage. The only restorative for a guilty conscience is a
sight of Jesus suffering on the cross. "The blood is the life thereof,"
says the Levitical law, and let us rest assured that it is the life of
faith and joy and every other holy grace.
"Oh! how sweet to view the flowing
Of my Saviour's precious blood;
With divine assurance knowing
He has made my peace with God."
Evening
Yet
not so ancient as those precious things which are the delight of our
souls. Let us for a moment recount them, telling them over as misers
count their gold. The sovereign choice of the Father, by which he
elected us unto eternal life, or ever the earth was, is a matter of vast
antiquity, since no date can be conceived for it by the mind of man. We
were chosen from before the foundations of the world. Everlasting love
went with the choice, for it was not a bare act of divine will by which
we were set apart, but the divine affections were concerned. The Father
loved us in and from the beginning. Here is a theme for daily
contemplation. The eternal purpose to redeem us from our foreseen ruin,
to cleanse and sanctify us, and at last to glorify us, was of infinite
antiquity, and runs side by side with immutable love and absolute
sovereignty. The covenant is always described as being everlasting, and
Jesus, the second party in it, had his goings forth of old; he struck
hands in sacred suretyship long ere the first of the stars began to
shine, and it was in him that the elect were ordained unto eternal life.
Thus in the divine purpose a most blessed covenant union was
established between the Son of God and his elect people, which will
remain as the foundation of their safety when time shall be no more. Is
it not well to be conversant with these ancient things? Is it not
shameful that they should be so much neglected and even rejected by the
bulk of professors? If they knew more of their own sin, would they not
be more ready to adore distinguishing grace? Let us both admire and
adore tonight, as we sing--
"A monument of grace,
A sinner saved by blood;
The streams of love I trace
Up to the Fountain, God;
And in his sacred bosom see
Eternal thoughts of Love to me."
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