The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-06-05

U
Our text tells
us that what Jesus Christ was yester-
day, he Is today. and what he is today
he Will be forever: and what he will
be forever he always has been. Let us
take these three expressions concern
Ing our Lord, which divide time up In
TO past, present and future. and permit
them to direct our thought concerning
ourselves and the Lord Jesus Christ.
First. there is the yesterday OF our
lives. That covers all the past up to
the present moment. Looking back
over II. II seems almost infinite in its
reach, and yet we are told that the
longest life is after all only as the
span Of a mnu's hand. as a vapor that
passeth away, or as a tale that is told.
But what sweep the yesterday of our
life seems TO have, as we think OF II.
SO much has happened. and so much
In II has been imperfect and unsatls-
factory. and, let us speak II frankly,
sinful. Now IL is behind us. and. so
far as we have any power over
II, II Is unalterable. We cannot change
IL II we would, neither can we undo IL,
nor wipe II out. What we have been
and what we have done in the yester-
day Of our lives is unalterable. and we
are absolutely helpless, OF ourselves,
concerning IL.
IL Is right here that the Lord Jesus
Christ is ready TO come in, II we will
only let him, and save us from the sins
Of our yesterday. What we cannot do
he is able and willing TO do for us.
These three expressions of time
concerning Jesus Christ are the three
lenses of salvation which he provides
those who trust him. He saves them
from their past sins. No matter how
vile or sinful hfe may have been, he
has made ample provision by his death
on the cross for the yesterday OF that
life that accepts him as Saviour. an
whom we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness Of sins"
Second, there Is the today Of our
lives. That is. the eternal now OF life
that we call the present. Life is not
simply a past record that needs
Strengthening out; 1t is a present thing
that has 10 be lived. and every mo
ment, as IL comes. is the now of life.
Even with the past cared for by
Christ. We constantly face the present
with Its problems, difficulties and
temptations. Having lived in the past.
we know that unless there be given us
some power in the present not found
in ourselves we shall not be able to
live so that when the present becomes
the past II shall not be as the deplor-
able yesterday.
Thank God, the One who is willing
and able 10 deliver us from the yester-
day Of our lives Is just as willing and
able 10 deliver us today. Now, this
very moment, "He ever liveth TO make
intercesslon for us" The apostle puts
II clearly when he says (Romans
$40: For IL when we were enemies
we were reconciled TO God by the
death Of his Son, much more being
reconciled we shall be saved by his
life" What life? Not his past life of
thirty-three years on earth. but by his
present life, communicated TO those
who become united TO him by faith. so
that he imparts TO them his own life.
and thus saves them from their sins. |
This is the present tense Of salvation |
which Christ provides those who trust
him.
Third. there Is the eternity OF our /
lives. That is the period when time
for us is no more. Life on earth has |
been finished. and We have entered
upon the ages of the ages. What theni
Who will be our Saviour Is there one
able 10 save us in the future? Yes,
thank God. the very One who. II We
have made him by faith our Saviour.
has saved us from our yesterday, and
Is saving us today. will be our Saviour
forever. This is the future tense of
salvation. for Christ is the unchange
able One who "Is able TO save TO the
uttermost all who come unto God by
him." This blessed fact is plainly
stated by the apostle: "Much more
then. being now justified by his blood
we shall be saved from wrath through
him." We thank thee that thou art
Interchangeable. . Christ. the same yes
.a.1au taHav and faravar aur Gaxyfnu.