The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-13

blood of goats and bulls be effectual in
ceremonial publication, much more shall the
blood of CHRIST, who through the eternal
spirit offered himself without blrmish unto
COP, cleanse your conscience from dead
works to serve the living Con- (Heb. ix 14D.
In the New Testament, JESUS and the facts
of his life are continually set forth under the
figures of the Hebrew Scriptures, and occa-
sionaly, it may be, in comparison with Pa
gan rites. The efficacy of these rites and
ceremonies, both Pagan and Jewish, was not
in themselves but in the things symbolized.
So the blood of JESUS symbolizes the grace
of God by which we are saved, and which was
manifested in the death of his Son. "By
grace are we saved through faith" (Eph. ii.
81. "GoD so loved the world that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whatsoever believ-
life' (John iii. 16). The death of CHRIST
was an expression of the compassionate love
of COP for sinful humanity, his children in
the earth. "GoD commendeth his love to-
ward us, in that while we were yet sinners,
CHRIST died for us' (Romans v. 81.
A knowledge of the divine disposition ex-
pressed in the life and death of JESUS recon-
Giles the rebellious and sinful soul to COP
and His will, and wins to His service. Rec
onciliation is atonement. GoD' is thus in
CHRIST reconciling the world unto Himself.
We are reconciled to Cop through the death
of His Son, being reconciled, we are saved
by his life (Romans v. 10Y when we make his
81 ho ~
lives. To follow the example of JESUS
is to walk in the light of COP reflected in
him. "He that followeth me shall not walk
in darkness, but shall have the light of life"
(John viii. 12). And if we walk in the light
the blood of JESUS cleanses us from all sin;
we enter into fellowship with him and the
Father who dwelleth in him, and are purified
by the washing of regeneration and renew
ing of the Holy Spirit which is richly pos
sessed. This is the fountain opened to the
house of David for sin and uncleanness
Czech. xiii. ~, and thus we are
''Saved by the blood of the Crucifed One"
The cleansing power of CHRIST is of course
in no literal sense in his blood, but in the
great love and self sacrifice that led him to
ment from sin. -LirermOre's Commentary.
1t is not CHR1sT's blood, only as the SYM
Dol of his life, that acts as an agent in the
work of redemption. He died for US, not to
propitiate Deity, or avert justly impending
penalty, but as Paul says, that "henceforth
no man should live unto himself, but unto him
who died for us.", In his death he crucifed
human selishness, giving to mankind higher
objects than self or he things of this world
to live for. Faith in the sacrifice of CHRIST
on the cross makes love, benevolence, chart
ty, compassion and forgiveness easier for Us
to exercise toward our fellowmen. COP gave
his only begotten Son to die for sinners; and
if COP SO loved us, we ought also to love one
another. Here is the whole statement and
philosophy of Christian atonement. 1t is
not difficult to understand, nor mysterious
in its nature and Office, but beautiful and
simple, like all the doctrines of the Gospel
Req. George Hitt, in Uniuersdlist Quarter
~, January, 1876.