The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-11-15

history Of the one who died. He was
Sod and man. divine and human. Gre
ator and creature. His life was abso-
lutely fawless. II Enoch and Elijah
left this world without passing
through death. might not Christ have
done likewise?
Further, this death is extraordinary
when we consider that Christ could
have avoided II. He knew all about
the plots and plans that were laid
for his arrest and death. lie could
have foiled them. LeRions OF angels
were at his disposal but he submit
ted TO this death; therefore his sacri.
flee was willing. voluntary sacrifice.
We must remember, too, that II was
no ordinary death. for others have
suffered as tragic and ignominious
deaths as this. IL was extraordinary,
however, because OF It's relation TO
mankind and because OF the person OF
the one who died. Jesus himself said
that his death was ransom for all
men: the apostles claimed that he
died the just for the unjust and for
the sins OF the world. This could not
be said OF the death OF any other per.
son In the world. Paul had seen Ste.
phen die "A martyrs death. but he did
not associate forgiveness OF sin with
Stephens death. yet this is what Is
claimed for the death OF Christ
ii. The people for whom Christ
died They are described as sinners,
ungodly, enemies. These terms are
allinclusive, descriptive enough TO
take in all the fallen and SHINING ones
Of men. Speaking broadly, this text
asserts that Jesus Christ died for the
whole human race OF sinners.
II is here said that he died for
them, and by this is meant that he
died In their stead and I'm their be
half. Some one may say Il did not
need any one TO die for me" But
we know so little as TO what was
necessary to be done In our behalf;
we are 80 ignorant concerning these
things; our own reason can be trust
ed so little; that II is better for us TO
believe what Jesus and the Apostles
say with reference 90 the necessity OF
Christs death.
The death OF Christ postulates that
something infinite needed to be- done
for us. Had there been no dark. dire
need, God would not have made the
sacrifice OF his son. II is clear from
our text that Christ died 10 do for US
what we, because we were weak and
without strength, could not do for
ourselves.
III. The purpose OF Christ's death.
First, we are justified by his death.
The atonement provides the ground
upon which a righteous God can pro
nounce a repentant sinner innocent,
free, and treat him accordingly. This
means that when a man acknowledge
the claims OF Jesus Christ, and sub
mits himself 10 him as his personal
savior. the guilt and penalty OF his
sin are removed forever. We may not
understand or realizs how this fact
becomes fact and yet we may real
lie II is a fact Thousands use elec.
tricity every day who do not under.
stand II. SO we are told what is q
died we who believe in him do re
celve absolution for our sins.
Second. We are reconciled to God
through the death OF Christ. Sin is
barrier between God and man
There can be fellowship between God
and man only as this barrier is re.
moved Even the love Of God cannot
remove this barrier apart from the
sacrifice OF Christ Again. we are not
saved by understanding, but believ
ing this great truth Men may bask
In the rays Of the spring sunshine. and
set be ignorant OF astronomy. All
enemity existing between God and the /.
death OF Christ by believing In
Christ the sinner who IL an enemy Of
God becomes friend OF Cod
Third We are saved from wrath
through Christs death. The modern
mind rejects the idea OF wrath alto.
gether and says II exists only IN the
minds Of theologians According 20 \
the scriptures. however. there Is a
wrath OF God as well az a love of God /
Love and wrath are not incompatible \
terms Cod cannot overlook the /
wickedness % men: and since - ls /
practically impossible 20 separate \
between the man and the sin that .
ne cherishes. pain. wrath and arruipb I
must be visited on the sinner. Tho \
death OF Jesus Christ removes thl, f.
wrath and the believer IN him passe
ut OF death into life. the penalty e
nc second death or the wrath OF Go
bali not fall on him.