Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1912-11-14
TExT-Rom ss-iI

die Yet II Is extraordinary when we
consider the person. character and
history OF the one who died. He was
God and man. divine and human, Gre
ator and creature. His life was abso-
lutely fawlesa II Enoch and Elijah
left this world without passing
through death. might not Christ have
done likewise7
Further. this death Is extraordinary
when We consider that Christ could
have avoided IT, He knew all about
the plots and plans that we're laid
for bis arrest and death. He could
were at his disposal But he submit
ted to this death; therefore his sacri-
ice was a willing. voluntary sacrifice.
We must remember. too. that It was
no ordinary death. for others have
suffered as tragic and ignominious
Deaths as this. Il was extraordinary.
however. because OF its relation to
mankind and because OF the person OF
the one who died Jesus himself said
that his death was a 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
IL The people for whom Christ
died. They are described as sinners.
ungodly. enemies. These terms are
aIlinclusivs. 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 10 here said that he died for
them. and by this Is meant that he
died in their stead and in their be-
hall Some one may say Il did not
need any one TO die for ne" But
are know SO little as to what was
necessary 70 be done IL our behalf;
We are so ignorant concerning these
things. cur oNu reason can be trust
ed 50 little. that Il Is better for Us 70
believe what Jesus and the Apostles
Christ's 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. Il Is clear from
cur text that Christ died to do for US
what we. because We we're weak and
without strength. could not do for
ourselves
III The purpose OF Christ's death.
First. We are justified BY his death
The atouement provides the ground
upon which righteous God can pro.
nounee a repentanr sinner innocent
free. and treat him accordingly. This
means that when man acknowledges
the claims Of Jesus Christ, and sub
mits himself to him as his personal
savior. the guilt and penalty of his
sin are removed forever We may not
understand or realize how this fac
becomes a fact and yet we may real
ize IL Is fact Thousands use cleo
tricity every day who do not under
stand IT, So we ara told what Is
great mystery-that because Chris
died we who believe In him do re
eeive dissolution fer our sins.
Second We are reconciled to Go,
through the death Of Christ. Sin 4
barrier between God and man
There can be fellowship between Go,
and man only as this barrier is re
J moved. Even the love OF God eanno
remove this barrier apart from III,
sacrifice OF Christ Again. we are no
saved BY understanding, but beIiey
ing this great truth Men may basl
IN the rays Of the spring sunshine. an
Jet be ignorant CT astronomy Al
ensnity existing between God and tn
sinner is removed by reason OF III
death of Christ.
Third We are saved from wratl
through christ's death. The moderI
mind rejects the idea Of wrath alto
gether and says It exists only in III
minds OF thsologials- According I
, the scriptures. however. there is
, wrath Of God as well as a love Of GOO
Love and wrath are not incompatible
terms. God cannot overlook III
wickedness OF men; and since IT
practically impossible to senarat
, between the man and the gin tina
. he cherishes. pain. wrath and anguisl
, must be visited on the sinner. Tn
, death Of Jesus Christ removes thi
wrath and the believer in him passe
, out Of death into life. the penalty @
tho second death or the wrath OF Go