Chapter 168—The Father’s Immeasurable Sacrifice
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his
Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:10
.
Love is the underlying principle of God’s government in heaven and
earth, and it must be the foundation of the Christian’s character.... And love
will be revealed in sacrifice.
The plan of redemption was laid in sacrifice—a sacrifice so broad and
deep and high that it is immeasurable. Christ gave all for us, and those who
receive Christ will be ready to sacrifice all for the sake of their Redeemer.
When Adam’s sin plunged the race into hopeless misery, God might have
cut Himself loose from fallen beings. He might have treated them as sinners
deserve to be treated. He might have commanded the angels of heaven to
pour out upon our world the vials of His wrath. He might have removed this
dark blot from His universe. But He did not do this. Instead of banishing
them from His presence, He came still nearer to the fallen race. He gave His
Son to become bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh....
The gift of God to man is beyond all computation. Nothing was withheld.
God would not permit it to be said that He could have done more or revealed
to humanity a greater measure of love. In the gift of Christ He gave all
heaven.
Those who have professed to love Christ, have not comprehended the
relation which exists between them and God, and it is still but dimly outlined
to their understanding. They but vaguely comprehend the amazing grace of
God in giving His only-begotten Son for the salvation of the world.
In order to secure man to Himself and ensure his eternal salvation, Christ
left the royal courts of heaven and came to this earth, endured the agonies
of sin and shame in man’s stead, and died to make him free. In view of the
infinite price paid for man’s redemption, how dare any professing the name
of Christ treat with indifference one of His little ones? ... How patiently,
kindly, and affectionately should they deal with the purchase of the blood of
Christ!
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