Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-13

eating to Himself a power which be-
ionsed to God alone. They did not
stop to consider that if He We're in
i. cd the Messiah, thel Redeemef 1t
would imply that He would possess
the authority to cancel the sins from
which lie WAS redceming men. Per-
ceiving their thoughts, and knowing
that thus they might stumble over a
great truth to their injury, Jesus in
a few words clarified the matter, say
ing to them Which do you consider
the easier. to tell u man that his sins
are forgiven or to heal him? He well
knew that they would say that the
healing was Inc more difficult, and
therefore. if Jesus were able to heal
the man, there would be no reason
why Tie should say. Thy sins be for
given thee" if He had not the power
to forgive sins. In proof of this He
said to the palsicd man, Arise. take
up thy bed, and go unto thy house.
Immediately the man was healed, and
departed carrying his bedding. The
people made way for him, and with
glorified God, saying,
Whoever saw the like!
Authority to Forgive Sins.
There are certain great, basic prin-
ciples relating to Gods dealings with
humanity which should be recognized.
JehoVah's Government is based. not
upon mercy but upon Justice; as we
read. Justice is the foundation of Thy
Throne" In one sense of the word Di
vine Justice never forgiyes and never
can do So, rs We will explain. We
read. "All Ills work is perfect" 1t is
the Divine method that every creature
of God shall ne so perfect as to need
no forgiveness. no allowance. The an
gels We're created perfect, hence there
was no need t. provide forgiveness for
them, because there would be no cX-
cuse for their SHINING, Likewise man
was thus created perfect. in the inn
age and likeness of the Creator, and
was without excuse. and therefore
needed no provision for mercy 50 long
as he WAS i'm relation with his God.
When temptation came. man fell
from obedience into sin, and from Di
vine favor and life into disfayor and
under the death sentence. But anoth-
er feature of the Divine character.
Love, while not in control. WAS
brought into exercise for mans relief.
But Divine Love or Mercy could not
override or interfere with Divine JUS
tice. In other words, God could not
forgive sinner whom He had SEN
fenced to death. What He could do,
ard did do. was to provide in due time
for mans redemption. All of Divine
Mercy. therefore. flows through the
channel of redemption.
The Philosophy of the Forgiveness Of
Sins.
Applying this principle to our Savior
and to His teachings. we ask, How
could He forgive sins when Divine
Justice could not forgive sins. nor set
aside the penalty of sin? The answer
is Jesus was the representative of Di-
vine Mercy, and Was at that time
men for the purpose of Civ
ing His life as a sacrifice ON mans
account, and therefore to Him be-
longed the distinctive honor of for
giving sins. But someone answers
that Jesus had not yet died for mans
sins. that He had not yet risen for
mans justification, that He had not
even appeared in the presence of God
for the .'hcusehold OF faith. F."
We answer that while it is true that
He had not accomplished this work,
and indeed has not yet fully accom-
phshed His work. (as the Redeemer
and Restorer of mem, nevertheless. He
had begun the work, He had present
ed Himself as mans Atonement price
It Jordan. at the time of His baptism.
According to the Scriptures and the
-ype. He. at that moment, surrendered
His earthly all on mans behalf.
However, His surrender of his all
lid not give Him the authority to for
rive sins. 1t was the heavenly Faith |
RS acceptance Of His conservation
Divine acceptance of Jesus sacrifice, |
hat counted. Gods acceptance of |
eslIe' sacrifice was manifested in His
Of the Holy Spirit, which |
ighted upon Jesus like a dove, as was |
estified by John the Baptist, and also |
cstified by Divine power which there
fter operated in and through Jesus |
or the healing of diseases. We see, |
hen. that our Lords words to tie pal
Jed man, THY sins be forgiven thee,
we're justified by the fact that He was |
n the position of making satisfaction |
or the sins of the whole world. and |
hat the Father had already Indicated |
he acceptance of the sacrifice which |
vas then in process
How the New Creature is Healed.
The text for this study comes from
he Psalms and is most interesting.
rhe Prophet David may have appro-
,riated the words 70 himself as jew
md max have thought of his own ply
;ical healing and blessing as evidences
IF the Lords favor under the Law
Covenant. But the prophetic appliea-
len of this Psalm to spiritual Israel
s still more interesting. The spiritual
[sraeliteS are new creatures. spirit
oegotten, and have this treasure in
earthen vessels.
With these it is the new creature
hat recognizes his healing, his for
siveness, his reconciliation to God
and according to Gods promise, all
.hings are working together for good
% him. because he loves God and has
been called according to the Divine
purpose.
WILTON.
I'M has been