The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-02-02

"oA I" persists IN prihg-
ing; to Try In our
own strength to part with II Is to
prove that Its grip on us Is stronger
than death itself; to try to make
amends for its bad deeds Is only to
guarantee impending bankruptcy; and
to scorn II Is to be doomed by II. Pru-
dence will lead us to say that we posi-
lively do not find In human reason
what to do with 1t. Sin is too unrea-
sOnable to be successfully opposed by
human reason.
But God whose wisdom is infinite,
does know what to do with II. He can
cure 1t. Without condoning the small
est fraction of its awfulness. God has
proceeded to make atOnement for sin.
Through centuries of sacrifcial types
lie revealed the only possible way to
deal with It; and then fulfilled them
all In Christ our Passover sacrificed
for us There is sacrifice, there Is
blood, and there is blood on the altar,
shed blood. To object to such plan
IL to project an opinion where reason
cannot claim sufficient resource But
when reason cannot find the way out
Of our condemnation, and the outlook Is
eyer perilous, then how invaluable Is
that revelation In Gods Word! How
secure we are with the Bible
The folly of giving sentiment or
argument free rein when considering
the atonement appears when we real
lie that We have nothing to bring for
ward as an illustration of atonement
apart from the Bible account of 1t. We
can think of God In the terms of IA
therhood and the illustration Is close
at hand, for we have each had ia
Their
Atonement Unparalleled.
We may illustrate the significance
of God us ruler for we are continually
reminded of the import of authority
over us. But now, what shall we say
Of God as Creator? We search In vain
its meaning. Or. what shall we say
of God as Atoner? Again, we are ut
terly incapable of finding an illustra
ton outside His revealed Word with
which to make plain its meaning. That
He knew how to atone and that His
love was at root of His doing 1t, IL
the marvellous and repeated lesson OF
the Bible. But the "why" of such a
wonder. and the depths of the signifi
canoe of such work, no illustration
will serve to explain. He alone knew
how. He alone planned 1t. He alone
worked II out. He alone did 1t Qiks
the Holy One He is) perfectly. Here
we never could be advisers. Why
then SHOULD we presume to be critics.
When we view God covering human
sin out of sight and providing for the
pardon of the transgressor, we view q
program so absolutely remote from al
human parallel that It is idle and rash
| to speculate about Its terms and con
ditions. The only acceptable grount
on which to stand (or kneel) Is cleal
over on the side opposite to cavil ant
doubt, where we say: GOD forbit
that ! should glory save in the Gross
of our Lord Jesus Christ" Let thii
wonder-work of love stand apart lik,
creation, unapproached by human eff
fort, the masterpiece Of Gods re
source.
Then II is that we see that Got
maintains His answering holmes
and at the same time provides tina
each. all and every sin chargeabl
against soul shall be pardoned tn
nAment that soul believes on the LORI
Jesus Christ. The depth of the agony
the satisfaction of Gods holiness Il
Jesus Christ bearing our sins. the fac
that "He was made curse for us
are all so far above us, so outside GU
realm that we must abandon the ques
for comparisons and admit that sine
God says II there Is no legitimate wa
TO deny II. He has provided "peac
through the blood Of the Cross" II
provided; l accepted. All is so con
plete that not a festher-weight dare
try TO add TO II and not the smalles
fraction dare try TO take from II b
pleading the merit of any act Of m
own. The debt Is declared paid. tn
reconciliation is offered. II Is N
free gift OF grace"
Look and Live"
How merciful then is Gods plan |
announce this precious redemption IA
and wide. How gracious the offer |
| Il a.oo..o. Mill IIa.u. I.ainItI.,lIoA a..