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February 2 |
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Morning Reading |
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Evening
Reading |
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"Without the shedding of blood is no
remission." |
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Hebrews 9:22 |
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This is the voice of unalterable truth. In
none of the Jewish ceremonies were sins, even typically, removed without
blood-shedding. In no case, by no means can sin be pardoned without
atonement. It is clear, then, that there is no hope for me out of Christ;
for there is no other blood-shedding which is worth a thought as an
atonement for sin. Am I, then, believing in him? Is the blood of his
atonement truly applied to my soul? All men are on a level as to their need
of him. If we be never so moral, generous, amiable, or patriotic, the rule
will not be altered to make an exception for us. Sin will yield to nothing
less potent than the blood of him whom God hath set forth as a propitiation.
What a blessing that there is the one way of pardon! Why should we seek
another?
Persons of merely formal religion cannot
understand how we can rejoice that all our sins are forgiven us for Christ's
sake. Their works, and prayers, and ceremonies, give them very poor comfort;
and well may they be uneasy, for they are neglecting the one great
salvation, and endeavouring to get remission without blood. My soul, sit
down, and behold the justice of God as bound to punish sin; see that
punishment all executed upon thy Lord Jesus, and fall down in humble joy,
and kiss the dear feet of him whose blood has made atonement for thee. It is
in vain when conscience is aroused to fly to feelings and evidences for
comfort: this is a habit which we learned in the Egypt of our legal bondage.
The only restorative for a guilty conscience is a sight of Jesus suffering
on the cross. "The blood is the life thereof," says the Levitical law, and
let us rest assured that it is the life of faith and joy and every other
holy grace.
Oh!
how sweet to view the flowing
Of my
Saviour's precious blood;
With divine
assurance knowing
He has made my peace
with God. |
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Evening Reading |
Go to Morning Reading |
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"And these are ancient things." |
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1 Chronicles 4:22 |
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Yet not so ancient as those precious things
which are the delight of our souls. Let us for a moment recount them,
telling them over as misers count their gold. The sovereign choice of
the Father, by which he elected us unto eternal life, or ever the earth was,
is a matter of vast antiquity, since no date can be conceived for it by the
mind of man. We were chosen from before the foundations of the world.
Everlasting love
went with the choice, for it was not a bare act of divine will by which we
were set apart, but the divine affections were concerned. The Father loved
us in and from the beginning. Here is a theme for daily contemplation.
The eternal purpose to redeem us from our foreseen ruin, to cleanse and
sanctify us, and at last to glorify us, was of infinite antiquity, and runs
side by side with immutable love and absolute sovereignty.
The
covenant is always described as being everlasting, and Jesus, the second
party in it, had his goings forth of old; he struck hands in sacred
suretyship long ere the first of the stars began to shine, and it was in him
that the elect were ordained unto eternal life. Thus in the divine purpose a
most blessed covenant union was established between the Son of God and his
elect people, which will remain as the foundation of their safety when time
shall be no more. Is it not well to be conversant with these ancient things?
Is it not shameful that they should be so much neglected and even rejected
by the bulk of professors? If they knew more of their own sin, would they
not be more ready to adore distinguishing grace? Let us both admire and
adore tonight, as we sing —
A
monument of grace,
A sinner saved
by blood;
The streams of
love I trace
Up to the
Fountain, God;
And in his sacred
bosom see
Eternal thoughts of
Love to me. |
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