The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-03-27

,sss&%*A % n is the unchanging
IsS@S and Interchangeable
SSss&sS8&NA a sI One.
Our text tells
us that what Jesus Christ was yestcr-
day, he is today, and what he is today
he will be forever; and what he will
he 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 cur
lives. That covers all the past up to
the present moment. Looking back
over it, it seems almost Infinite in it's
reach, and yet we are told that the
longest life is after all only as the
span of mans hand, as vapor that
nasseth away. or as a tale that Is told.
But what a sweep the yesterday of our
life seems to have. as we think Of it.
So much has happened, and so much
in it has been imperfect and unsatis-
factory, and, let us speak it frankly.
sinful. Now it is behind us, and, so
far as we have any power over
1t, it Is unalterable. We cannot change
1t If we would, neither can we undo 1t,
nor wipe 1t 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 it.
1t is right here that the Lord Jesus
Christ is ready to come in, if 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 a life 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. ain
whom we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins"
Second, there is the today Of our
that we call the present. Life is not
simply past record that needs
Strengthening out; it is present thing
that has to be lived, and every mo-
ment, as 1t 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
i'm ourselves we shall not he 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 to deliver us from the yester-
day of our lives il Just as willing and
able to deliver us today. Now, this
very moment, "IIc ever livcth To make
interccssiOn for u.s." The apostle puts
1t clearly when he says U,omans
5:1O: "For If 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-thrce years on earth, but by his
present life, communicated TO those
who become united to him by filth, 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 then?
Who will be our Saviour? Is there one
able to save us in the future? Yes,
think God, the very One who, IL 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 us able to save to the
uttermost all who come unto God by
him" This blessed fact In 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
.I.s, s,.xI CO.