December 15

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. - Titus 2:14.

IN the work of redemption we see the evil of sin infinitely displayed. It is there we find the most powerful motives to holiness and obedience. It is there that faith beholds her bleeding Saviour and wipes her tears away. It is there that hope lifts up its head and smiles again. It is there that holy love and zeal animate the heart, and burn as with a live coal from the altar. It is there we “reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is there even reason leads us to conclude that, “if one died for all, then were all dead; and that he died for all, that those who live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them and rose again.” We must therefore always remember that our Saviour’s death is not only beneficial as an example, but it is also infinitely meritorious and efficacious as an atonement. We must not only view it as putting away sin by the sacrifice of himself, but as obtaining the Spirit of Jesus Christ; thus, we sing,-

“’Tis by the merit of his death

Our souls are cleansed from sin;

’Tis by his interceding breath

The Spirit dwells within.”

So, therefore, says the apostle, in his Epistle to the Galatians, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree; that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.” How important, then, appears the death of Christ! If any thing more were necessary in illustration of it, we could mention two things. The one is the vastness of the sufferings from which we are delivered, and the other is the vastness of the blessings we derive from it. Here we are not only fed, but feasted; we are not only supplied, but enriched, -not only have life, but have it more abundantly. Here we are raised up above the state of Adam in Paradise, or even of angels in glory. And with us, also, myriads upon myriads will be the humble partakers of these benefits, and will enjoy an eternity of honour and of happiness.

“Oh, the sweet wonders of the cross

Where God the Saviour loved and died;

Her noblest life my spirit draws

From his dear wounds and bleeding side.”