The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1909-11-19

Be Innocent From the Great Iransgression
psalm XIX, u. lO.
ooO.-.~.~.".-.-.-.-.-.-. -.-.-.~s~.".-.".~.-.-.O
very glorious designs of joint-heirshlp
with the Rcdeemer in his kingly and
pricstly offices for the blessing of the
world during the Millennium. The
greatness of the dignity to which the
faithful will be exalted makes 1t rea-
sonable that the terms and conditions
should be exceedingly difficult in this
way. Hence we read that the gate Is
difficult and the way narrow one, SO
that few may find It, These few are
the elect" whose character-superlor-
ity will be fully evidenced to God, to
angels and to men To be such as fully
justifies the Lord in granting to them
the high reward promised. Were their
Donors no greater than those the world
shall experience, how could Gods ways
be just and equal in granting them the
heavenly nature and Divine glory.
while awarding the world of mankind
restitution blessing and n worldwide
Eden home corresponding to what was
lost by Adam and redeemed for the
willing and obedient by the sacrifice
of the man Christ Jesus?
Who Understands His Errors2
If now we have clearly before our
minds that it is the Church class who
are addressed in our text, let us exam
inc the various steps it suggests. Dur
to-. 81,
cret faults and presumptuous sins of
the world will all be made manifest
and all be openly rebuked and pun
iShed. But not so now. Those who
are now called to be of the elect
Church are expected to be so Jealous
for God, so DESTROYS to know and to do
his will, so opposed to sin, that they
will voluntarily search for their own
errors. their own secret faults, and
strive against presumptuous sins.
When we remember that God, for
ChriSt's sake, has forgiven the sins of
the Church. the question may arise,
What then are these faults or errors
If all of our sins are forgiven freely
for Chrst'S sae O. what sins then re-
main to be forgiven? The answer is
that through faith in Christ's blood we
were fully forgiven the sins that are
past. through the forbearance of God"
(Romans Iii. 20. We shall never more
be held responsible for sins great or
small which were ours before we came
to the Lord and accepted his grace, his
forgiveness, and became his followers
through our conservation of our little
all to him. What remains of sin with
us is the imperfection of the flesh and
its inherited weaknesses. and these
bemishes may be with us to our dying
day in considerable measure. 1t Is
against these that we must fght-fght
the good fight and endure hardness as
valiant soldiers of righteousness.
But some one may inquire. Is not the
merit of Christ sufficient. not only fol
| the sins that are past, but for all OF
our unwilling blemishes of the past
| and of the future? In other words
| Does not our Lords satisfaction OF
| Justice include our imperfections pres
ent and future, which are the result
| of Adams sin and our inheritance OF
| the fallen condition, as well as atone
for our sins of the past prior to oul
acceptance of the Divine mercy? We
answer. Yes. this is quite true: never
theless the Lord requires of us that
after coming into the family of God
we shall take note of our imperfec
tons and apply to him for specific for
| giyeness of all transgresSiOns. Doubt
less this is intended to assist us IL
keeping humb!e-to assist us in keep
ing in remembrance 1.-The horrible pit
of sin from which we were lifted b.
the gracious merit of the Redeemer b,
! which we were justified. All of theS
| experiences will doubtless be helpful
to us by drawing us the more frequent
| ly to the throne of grace. that w
may obtain mercy. and find grac
merit to help III time of need" Qie
brews iv. lG,.
The Blood of Christ CIeanseth.
The expression, The blood of .Iesu
Christ cleanSeth US from all sin" refer
not merely to the sins that are pas
and the cleansing which was ours II
tLS VIC uIIcplCu III
Lords favor. but rather. especially,
refers to the cleansing which is con
tinually necessary to the maintenance
of our relationship with the Lord. Th
forgiveness, the cleansing, is freely
promptly given, but cOnditiOnally.
must be applied for This is the Lord
method of instructing us in the wa
of righteousness and of assisting us t
overcome the oppositions and temptt
lions of the world and to become a
heart "overcomers." He knows on
weaknesses better than we do; and h
wishes us to learn OF them. not wit
view to discouraging us, but that W
may fight II good fight against then
conquer them and. in SO doing, develo
, the characteristics which he approve
and has promised to reward with join
heirship with the Redeemer in hi
Kingdom.
Hence. instead of openly rebukin
his people. the Lord leaves as ours tn
, work of searching for secret faults an
. putting them away. In proportion Il
we love him, we will be DESTROYS c