July 4th, 2014. HE HAS THE SIN I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. Galatians 2:21 Christ being made sin and we becoming the righteousness of God in Him is a showpiece to the universe of Gods righteousness in reconciling us to Himself. We are like a trophy case. He is displaying to the universe how He has taken us fallen, ungodly sinners, and how He has righteously handled us by placing all our sin on His Son. He bore all our iniquities (Isa. 53:11). The Father was satisfied with the death of His Son and what He did on the cross. Isaiah 53:11 says, He [the Father] shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Being justified means that righteousness was transferred to us. Righteousness does not come by the law; otherwise Christ died in vain (Gal. 2:21). The cross did two things that will forever change our relationship with God and our relationship with ourselves: sin was transferred to Jesus (He has the sin); righteousness was transferred to us (we have the righteousness). The cross is made null and void if there is one person on this earth that can somehow make it on his own. If that could happen with even one person, then Jesus did not need to die on the cross. But Calvary sends out one clear message to all mankind: righteousness is not by the law; it is imputed to us by the righteousness of God demonstrated on the cross, where He took our sin and we became His righteousness. Calvary reveals a double transfer. In our experience this transfer means He has the sin and I have the righteousness. Hallelujah! This is now the truth and reality in our spirit-- He has the sin and I have the righteousness. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain [Galatians 2:21]. I do not reject. There is great emphasis in this expression; for how dreadful is the ingratitude manifested in despising the grace of God, so invaluable in itself, and obtained at such a price! Yet this heinous offense is charged against the false apostles, who were not satisfied with having Christ alone, but introduced some other aids towards obtaining salvation. For, if we do not renounce all other hopes, and embrace Christ alone, we reject the grace of God. And what resource is left to the man, who puts from him the grace of God, and judges himself unworthy of everlasting life? (Acts 13:46.) Christ is dead in vain. There would then have been no value in the death of Christ; or, Christ would have died without any reward; for the reward of his death is, that he has reconciled us to the Father by making atonement for our sins. Hence it follows, that we are justified by his grace, and, therefore, not by works. The Papists explain this in reference to the ceremonial law; but who does not see that it applies to the whole law? If we could produce a righteousness of our own, then Christ has suffered in vain; for the intention of his sufferings was to procure it for us, and what need was there that a work which we could accomplish for ourselves should be obtained from another? If the death of Christ be our redemption, then we were captives; if it be satisfaction, we were debtors; if it be Christ is dead in vain. There would then have been no value in the death of Christ; or, Christ would have died without any reward; for the reward of his death is, that he has reconciled us to the Father by making atonement for our sins. Hence it follows, that we are justified by his grace, and, therefore, not by works. The Papists explain this in reference to the ceremonial law; but who does not see that it applies to the whole law? If we could produce a righteousness of our own, then Christ has suffered in vain; for the intention of his sufferings was to procure it for us, and what need was there that a work which we could accomplish for ourselves should be obtained from another? If the death of Christ be our redemption, then we were captives; if it be satisfaction, we were debtors; if it be atonement, we were guilty; if it be cleansing, we were unclean. On the contrary, he who ascribes to works his sanctification, pardon, atonement, righteousness, or deliverance, makes void the death of Christ. This argument, we shall perhaps be told, is of no weight against those who propose to unite the grace of Christ with works; which, it is universally admitted, was done by the false apostles. The two doctrines, it is alleged, stand together, that righteousness is by the law, and that we are redeemed by the death of Christ. True; supposing it were granted that a part of our righteousness is obtained by works, and a part comes from grace. But such theology, it may easily be proved, was unknown to Paul. His argument with his opponents is either conclusive or inconclusive. If any blasphemer shall dare to accuse him of bad reasoning, a powerful defence is at hand; for that justification in the sight of God of which he treats, is not what men may imagine to be sufficient, but what is absolutely perfect. But we are not now called to plead in behalf of Paul against blasphemers, who venture to speak in reproachful language of the Holy Spirit himself. Our present business is with the Papists. They ridicule us, when we argue with Paul that, if righteousness come by works, Christ is dead in vain. They imagine it to be a beautiful reply, with which their sophists furnish them, that Christ merited for us the first grace, that is, the opportunity of meriting; and that the merit of his death concurs with the satisfactions of works for the daily pardon of sins. Let them ridicule Paul, whose language we quote. They must refute him before they can refute us. We know that he had to deal with men, who did not entirely reject the grace of Christ, but ascribed the half of salvation to works. In opposition to them he argues, that if righteousness is by the law, then Christ is dead in vain; and by so doing, he certainly does not allow to works one drop of righteousness. Between those men and the Papists there is no difference; and therefore, in refuting them, we are at liberty to employ Pauls argument. July 4 MORNING LEANING ON JESUS BOSOM. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you-- They brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and [his] disciples rebuked those that brought [them].-- And he took them up in his arms, put [his] hands upon them, and blessed them.-- Jesus called his disciples [unto him], and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.-- An high priest... touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.-- In his love and in his pity he redeemed them. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.-- Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. JOHN 13:23. Is 66:13.-- Mar 10:13, 16.-- Mt 15:32.-- Heb 4:15.-- Is 63:9. Jn 14:18.-- Is 49:15. Re 7:17. July 4 EVENING Jesus Christ the righteous:... the propitiation for our sins. Toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat. Surely his salvation [is] nigh them that fear him;... Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed [each other]. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But [there is] forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.-- Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD [there is] mercy, and with him [is] plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.-- All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins. 1 JOHN 2:1, 2. Ex 25:20- 22. Ps 85:9, 10. Ps 130:3, 4, 7, 8,-- Ro 3:23- 25.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 21:10:11 +0000
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