Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1916-11-15

eSS--
l(0AST(JQ PIiSSCi! viewed from the
S---------> standpoint of
court of law, the
Divine Plan for human salvation.
He showed that the perfect man
Adam was on trial for everlasting
life before the Supreme Judge of the
Universe; that Adam failed to clear
himself of the charge of disobedi-
ence, and that the Court had passed
upon him the extreme penalty Of
the Divine Law-death. He explain
ed that, as privilege by Divine ar
rangement, our Lord Jesus became
suitable to be a Ransom-price for
Adam and the unborn race condemn
ed to death in him; that our Lord
provided that Ransom4price by Di-
vine arrangement by His sacrificlal
death. He deposited that Ransom
price in the hands of Divine Justice,
as sufficient to secure the release of
the whole world from death, and the
cancellation of Adamic condemna-
ton, as soon as the Church has been
glorified. Meantime, our Lord is
the Advocate of the Church, to whom
lis imputed the merit of His death
For some time the speaker has
been deeply impressed with the
thought that no one can have a pro-
per understanding and appreciation
of the Divine Plan unless he has TAX
en- the steps of repentance from sin,
of faith in Christs atoning sacrifice,
and of full conservation to God. One
living in unrepented of sin is in no
condition to receive Heavenly things;
for God has declared that none of
the wicked shall understand" dan
!12:10.) He does not wish His great
Plan of the Ages to be understood
by the wicked or even by those who
prefer earthly things.
The Divine Message speaks peace
to those who are in trouble and who
are looking to God for the righteous
ness which He will provide. Some
have made a great mistake in think
ing that preaching is hammer
whereby to break mems hearts. The
Lord has commissioned no one to do
so. During the great Time of Trou-
BILE, even now coming upon the
world many hard hearts will be bro
ken, and thus brought into humble,
teachable condition, where the Voice
of God may be heard. During the in
coming Age the Lord will take away
the stoniness of heart from mankind
and give them hearts of flesh instead.
Ezekiel 11:19-21; 36:25-27.
The Work OF the Advocate.
But now, in advance of Msseiah' 5
Kingdom, God is seeking those
whose hearts are already broken
Isaiah 61:1-3) Whoever would be,
come a follower of Jesus must not
only turn from sin, but must give to
God both himself and all that he has
or hopes to have. He must renounce
his human nature in order to be be-
gotten to the spiritual nature, to be
thencefOrth a New Creature in
Christ. e Corinthians SID Then
Jesus becomes his Advocate; and he
receives the imputation of the merit
of Christ's sacriticial death, as a COW
ering of all his natural imperfec-
tons.
An advocate is a lawyer, an attor
ney, a representative at a law court
All mankind, represented in Father
Adam, stood before Gods Court, and
were sentenced to death in Him. G
Corinthians 15:21.) If any of the
Adamic race would now come back
to the Divine Court and ask that the
record of sin be blotted out as far az
he was concerned, the Heavenly
Court would say, eve cannot receive
you; for we do not receive sinners.
The only way to approach Us is
through the Advocate whom we have
provided-Jesus Christ"
Our Lord became the Church's Ad-
vocate when He assembled on High
and appeared in the Divine presence
for His followers. (Hebrews 9:24.)
A lawyer goes into court and appears
for his client, giving his name as
that clients representative. Thence
forth the court refers to the lawyer
whatever it has to say regarding that
particular case. 1t was the Divine
arrangement thar our Lord appear
for the whole Church at once. God
had already foreordained the num-
Der of the Elect and the character
which they must attain. (Romans
1929, 30; 12:D. The work of the
entire Gospel Age is to find this class.
When Christ appeared in the Hea-
venly Court for His Church, He made
IA presentation of His sacrificial mer-
it on their behalf He advocates
their cause by lnputing to them the
merit of His sacrifice, thus making
them presentable in the Fathers
presence and acceptable as sons OF
God. Because Of this advocacy those
who offer themselves in full conse-
Grafton to God through the Redeem
er are begotten as New Creatures in
Christ.
PAID ADVERTISEMENT.
-O