Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-05-15
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson VII. Second Quarter,
For May IS, 1912.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.


The gospel by Matthew Is In a spe-
cial sense the gospel OF the kingdom.
and the key word OF the kingdom is
righteousness. absolutely perfect ac-
cording TO the Interpretation of the
commandments here given by our
Lord, from which we learn that a sin
ru look breaks a command as much
"a an act. and from Jas Il, 10. we
learn that whatsoever shall keep the
whole law and yet offend I'm one point
Is guilty OF all" II must be an inward
righteousness Of the heart. not like
that OF the Pha risees. OF whom our
Lord said that. although they appeared
righteous outwardly TO men. they were
within full of hypocrisy and iniQuity.
outwardly whited sepulchers. inward
~ all uncleanness Ciatt. XIII. 25-2SI.
In our lesson He says that In no case
can such righteousness enter the king
dom (verse 2OD. and in lisa XIV. 6. we
are told that all our righteousnesses
are as filthy rags Concerning the
kind that. God requires we are told
There is none righteous-no not one"
and when we are brought face to face
with the law every mouth Is stopped
and all the world guilty before God
(Rom. iii TO- 1871. Men have many
standards. God hns but one called
the Righteousness OF God (Rom. III,
5, %: L 8: ii Cor v. 21J. In verse II
OF our lesson He said that he came to
fulfill the Law and the prophets. and
TO John the Baptist BE said. III be-
cometh Us TO fulfill all righteousness
Oil. 49,. There was neither flaw nor
failure in His righteousness. he could
truthfully say. Il do always those
things that please the Father" AMI
the Father testified concerning Him.
This is my beloved Son. In whom 1
am we'll pleased" (John viii. 20: Matt
fiji. IL; xvii. 81. De was the Lamb with
out blemish and without spot He did
no sin; He knew no sin: He was holy.
harmless. uudefled and separate from
sinners q Pet. i. 10: Ii. -: II Cor. V.
81: Heb. vii. 2Gi. His was righteous
ness indeed. and nothing short OF lis
perfect righteousness can enable any
one TO appear before God accepta bly,
The case OIL our side il therefore utter
ly hopeless as far as any efforts OF
ours are concerned. for by the deeds
I OF the law there shall no flesh be justi-
fed in His sight from. iii. 2Ol. The
very best that the very best man can
do comes far short OF his perfect
righteousness. What a gloomy out
look il would be il BE had not devils
ed means whereby we need not be
driven away from Him I'll Sam. xiv.
IA. Not only did the Son or God give
in His life Il sample OF the perfect
righteousness which God requires: but.
having no sin Of His own. lie bare our
sins in His own body on the tree.
There was laid on Him the iniQuity OF
US all. He WAS made sin Offering
for us. and when we plead guilty and
receive IIlm we become accepted i'll
Him and be is accepted for US. rs 1t
Is written In the law concerning the
guilty man and his perfect Offering.
lit shall he accepted for him" CLev. l..
~. The priest had no need TO examine
the man-he pleaded Euilty-buI he
did examine the sacrifice. and II it
was without blemish. according TO the
law. the guilty man identifying him
, self with his perfect sacrifice by laying
his IN nd upon II was accepted because
or his sacrifice. and the blood was
shed. thc life laid down for IL is the
blood that maketh an atonement for
the soul Oev. xvii. Il; Heb IL. 22I.
What wonderful redemption IL Is.
and wholly OF the Lord He took my
place as u guilty one and suffered IN
my stead. making an end Of my sins,
that ! might take His place before
: God. clothed With His righteousness
, How wonderfully beautifully are such
3 words as Justified freely by His
grace" made unto us wisdom. right
{ eousnesS. sanctitication. redemption:
. I'm whom we have redemption through
! Bis blood. the forgiveness OF sins
. Yet there are multitudes in so called
4 Christian lands. churchgoers and
D church members. who. being tgnoranI
= OF Gods righteousness and going about
TO establish their own righteousness
= have not submitted themselves TO the
Righteousness Of God. not understand
ing that Christ Is the end OF the Law
for righteousness to every one thai
beiieveth rom X. 3. 4: I'll. "a: Cor.
30: ii Cor. v. 81; Eph. 1. 8. y. II Oul
eyes have been opened to see thes,
glorious truths. let Us JOY fully sing. 81
will greatly rejoice In the Lord: my
soul shall be joyful In my God. fO
So hath clothed me with the carmen
OF salvation. He hath covered me witt
the robe Of righteousness lisa. Xxi. 10,