The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-10-02

& ;&$$M M##| ness" began when
- sa4sss2 sssssal sin began and God
made proclamation Of coming SEED
of the woman, then, In holy syilpo'.
ism, set forth the death of that Seeu
and its blessed results for DeileVerS
by taking the skins of animals 10
make garments for Adam ana Eve.
Now the work is done, and his muir
derers are casting lots for his seam
less robe-that robe OF righteousness
that not alone covers the Shame VI
our moral nakedness but becomes an
adornment for the holy eye OF Goa.
He who hangs upon that cross, III
shame and nakedness, to provide this
garment for his foes has forever SET
tied the question OF sin so that 1t can
never be opened again between Gou
and the feeblest believer on MS Son.
There is therefore now no judgment
TO them who are in Christ Jesus" for
they have been judged once for all
in the Person of Another who, TO It's
awful dregs, has drained the cup OF
divine wrath against sin.
ut is Finished Oh soul, think not
that anything can be added. III you
could live thousand years in sin
less perfection and in answering de-
votion to God and his service, it would
add not one whit to what Jesus Christ
did for you. The mere thought OF 40
ing so would be robbery; stealing the
glory that belongs to him alone. The
work is done, and the gospel is the
proclamation of that finished work in
which God Is inviting men to rest with
himself Ee is not asking you TO DO
something, but to accept what has
been done for you.
These two little words, do" ana
done" express the wide divergence
between all the worlds religion and
our holy Christianity. Mans religion
insists upon doing and sends its ad-
herents to the treadmill of their own
heshly activities. Christianity is
Gods glad tidngs TO lost men of what
is DONE once and forever. This fin
ished work is the sure foundation of
the souls enduring peace. There is
no other.
H. That finished work was divine
accomplishment. On the mount Of
TRANSPORTATION Moses and Elijah spake
with Jesus "of his decease which he
should accomplish at Jerusalem" The
death of Gods Son was not that of
martyr nor that Of hero. 1t was
the death of one who, knowing no
sin, was "made sin for us, that we
might be made the righteousness Of
God to him" Gil Cor. 5:2D.
1t was unnatural. Dying men,
spent with agony and Notwithstanding,
do not cry with loud voice, as he
| did. Nor had death the slightest
claim upon him. for he was holy.
1t was supernatural. Hath he not
said, II lay down my life for the
sheep no man taketh 1t from
! me, but lay 1t down of myself. /
have power to lay 1t down, and l have
power to take it again. This COM
mandment have ! received of my Fa-
Their" And, having uttered the con-
| up the ghost" literally, he dismissed
| his spirit"
1t was preternatural, for he Is "the
Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world"
III. The finished work is divinely
attested.
1. Witness the rcnt veil "Thc veil
of the temple was rent in twain" The
| veil concealed the hottest where the
presence of God was manifest in the
cloud of glory, and barred all ap-
| proach thereto, save by the high
priest, but by him only once a year
and with solemn rites of expiation.
Now God rends 1t in testimony to his
| acceptance Of the work of his Son.
The way into his presence Is opened
Mt last, so that the vilcst of earth
may draw nigh along the blood
sprinkled way, and he Is himself Mt
liberty to come forth In grace to men.
2. Witness the rent rocks. THE
earth did quake and the rocks rent"
3. Witness the rent graves. ''The
graves were opened, and many bodies
Of the saints which slept arose."
And thus God did show the power
Of Christ's death over death.
Going into It he robbed 1t of
its power and holds now in his
own hand Its keys. 'The sting of
death Ia SIM" but che hath made him
to be sin for us" and he has taken
away that sting forever.
Poor sinner, God Is resting now In
the finished work Of his Son. and you
nay rest there. too, II you will.