The Yale expositor., 1899-03-10
THE GOD OF SALVATION,

The following is the substance of
Elder Paton's discourse at the funeral
of James Brown, Jr.
TEXT:-"Our God is the God of sal
vation; and unto God the Lord belong
the issnes from death.-Psalm xviii: 20,
This text carefully examined is a
sermon in itself. How comprehensive,
how all-inclusive, it is. when viewed in
the light of Pau's statement:-"As in
Adam all die, even so in Christ shall
all be made alive; every man in his own
order."-2 Cor. XIV: %, 23. There is or
der in the resurrection, Christ first,
afterward they that are Christ's at his
coming, and the rest of mankind later
on. AS the death in Adam is not mere
ly physical, but includes spiritual death;
so being made alive in Christ must in
clude spiritual life. How clearly this
agrees with our text-that God is the
God of salvation, and that to him be-
long the issues from death.
My purpose on this occasion is to
honor Christ. If Christ is honored, sin
will be condemned, righteousness will
be vindicated, ana the triumph of the
Lord will be proclaimed. And if these
things are appreciated, all who mourn
will be comforted.
1t would be useless for me to deny
that l believe in the final triumph of
Christ, and, through him, of all man
kind. So long and so often have |
spoken of this here that it is not nee
essary to say much about it now. But
again would emphasize the truth that
there is not, and never can be, any sal
vation without-salvation Salvation
is not mechanical thing, but includes
that change of mind and heart called
repentance, and the complete regenera-
tion of the human spirit. Man cannot be
saved and continue in the practice or
in the love of sin. God hates sin, and
everything that tends to degrade and
lead to sin, because he loves his Great
ures. 1t is by judging down sin and
all unrighteousness that man can be
saved and the world blessed. There is
a judgment-by the law-which always
condemns, not only the sin, but the
sinner. "The wages of sin is death.
But the judgment of Christ is to destroy
sin and save the sinner. Some are
judged by him here in this world, and
the rest will be judged hereafter; and
Obi that we all might know the truth
that he will not fail. nor be discouraged
until he shall send forth judgment
unto victory.
Yes, there are things which the God
of loye hates. There are things which
we ought to hate-things that are a
curse to every community. And II
this world shall ever be redeemed fol
Christ-and it will be-these things
that are cursing mankind must be
crushed out. And it will be well when
all good men and women shall rise as
one person against these things which
L need not name. God help us all tC
hate the things that lead unto sin with
a perfect hatred.
Allow me briefly to present three
things bearing upon the final victory
of Christ, and therefore of mankind
| refer to the word of Christ, the para
bles of Christ, and the miracles oi
| Christ. These make threo-fold cord
which cannot be broken. On the first
point will not make an extended ar
gument. L could quote many sayings
of Christ on this subject: but | will
simply put with the promise that his
| judgment shall be unto victory, hi:
own words: az, if / be lifted up, viii
draw all men unto me-" Remembel
| that unto the God of salvation belong
| the issues of death.
Then by reference to the parallels
and miracles of Christ, i wish simply
| to illustrate the fullness of the divin,
purpose. Look at the group of three
parallels in Luke xv-the lost sheep
the lost silver, and the prodigal son
The sheep was stupid. 1t wandered
away. 1t did not mean TO get lost bu
it 1CdS lost, because it did not know
the way home. The silver was helpless
1t did not even lose itself; but it wa
lost and had TO be found. The son OF
man came, not to save people from be
ing lost, but to save them that wer,
lost. And that to be found and saveC
includes true repentance, is shown by
our Lords using these two parallels t
illustrate the truth that there is joy il
heaven over one sinner that repents
We see that the sheep was stupid, anC
that the silver was helpless, but tn,
son was wilful. These three represent
all classes of sinners. You are all i'm
cluded. Men are often urged to seel
Christ and salvation, and it is all well
but Oh! that all may realize the trutl
that Christ is seeking them, and will
never be satisfied until all are found
But while the shepherd went after tn,
sheep, and the woman searched on
the silver, no messenger went after thu
wilful son.
There is a condition in which Go,
says of the wicked, "He Is joined to hi
idols, let him alone" But 1t is not be
cause he hates the sinner; neither Is
because there is no hope for him; bu
because the terrible experience is tn