Page 17 - In Heavenly Places (1967)

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The Most Exalted Theme, January 8
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God
sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live
through him.
1 John 4:9
.
The plan of redemption, by which the merciful divine-human Re-
deemer rescued man from the thralldom of sin, is beyond the comprehen-
sion of men or of angels. It is indeed a mystery so surpassing, so grand,
so sublime, that we can never hope fully to understand it.
Christ’s sacrifice for fallen man has no parallel. It is the most exalted,
sacred theme on which we can meditate. Every heart that is enlightened
by the grace of God is constrained to bow with inexpressible gratitude
and adoration before the Redeemer for His infinite sacrifice.
In His life Jesus of Nazareth differed from all other men.... He is the
only true model of goodness and perfection. From the beginning of His
ministry men began more clearly to comprehend the character of God....
Christ’s mission on earth was to reveal to men that God was not a despot,
but a heavenly Father, full of love and mercy for His children. He spoke
of God by the endearing title of “My Father.” ...
In all the sufferings and afflictions of man there is an Eye to pity, a
Heart to love. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth
them that fear him” (
Psalm 103:13
). God’s tenderest care is exercised over
us. He pities us in our weakness and in our sorrow. We may be despondent,
even despairing; the heavy clouds of affliction may be over us; but there
is light ahead. Beyond the gloom is a sympathetic, compassionate Friend,
One who does not willingly grieve or afflict the children of men.
In the gracious blessings which our heavenly Father has bestowed upon
us we may discern innumerable evidences of a love that is infinite, and
a tender pity surpassing a mother’s yearning sympathy for her wayward
child. When we study the divine character in the light of the cross we
see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended with equity and justice.
In the language of John we exclaim: “Behold, what manner of love the
Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God”
(
1 John 3:1
).
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