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Christ Elevates Humanity, August 17
Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the
same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Hebrews 2:11
,
NIV.
Jesus is “not ashamed to call them brethren” (
Hebrews 2:11
); He is our Sacrifice,
our Advocate, our Brother, bearing our human form before the Father’s throne, and
through eternal ages one with the race He has redeemed—the Son of man. And all
this that man might be uplifted from the ruin and degradation of sin that he might
reflect the love of God and share the joy of holiness.
The price paid for our redemption, the infinite sacrifice of our heavenly Father
in giving His Son to die for us, should give us exalted conceptions of what we may
become through Christ. As the inspired apostle John beheld the height, the depth, the
breadth of the Father’s love toward the perishing race, he was filled with adoration
and reverence; and, failing to find suitable language in which to express the greatness
and tenderness of this love, he called upon the world to behold. “Behold, what
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons
of God” (
1 John 3:1
). What a value this places upon man! Through transgression
the sons of man become subjects of Satan. Through faith in the atoning sacrifice of
Christ the sons of Adam may become the sons of God. By assuming human nature,
Christ elevates humanity. Fallen men are placed where, through connection with
Christ, they may indeed become worthy of the name “sons of God.”
Such love is without a parallel. Children of the heavenly King! Precious promise!
Theme for the most profound meditation! The matchless love of God for a world
that did not love Him! The thought has a subduing power upon the soul and brings
the mind into captivity to the will of God. The more we study the divine character
in the light of the cross, the more we see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended
with equity and justice, and the more clearly we discern innumerable evidences of a
love that is infinite and a tender pity surpassing a mother’s yearning sympathy for
her wayward child (
Steps to Christ, 14, 15
).
The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than
death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift. The
Saviour’s life and death and intercession, the ministry of angels, the pleading of the
Spirit, the Father working above and through all, the unceasing interest of heavenly
beings—all are enlisted in behalf of man’s redemption.
Oh, let us contemplate the amazing sacrifice that has been made for us! Let us
try to appreciate the labor and energy that Heaven is expending to reclaim the lost,
and bring them back to the Father’s house.... Let us avail ourselves of the means
provided for us that we may be transformed into His likeness (
Steps to Christ, 21,
22
).
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