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Christ Is Our Only Access to the Father, August 20
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come
unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for
them.
Hebrews 7:25
.
How is God reconciled to man?—By the work and merit of Jesus
Christ, who ... put aside everything that would interpose between man and
God’s pardoning love. The law that man has transgressed is not changed
to meet the sinner in his fallen condition, but is made manifest as the
transcript of Jehovah’s character,—the exponent of His holy will,—and
is exalted and magnified in the life and character of Jesus Christ. Yet a
way of salvation is provided; for the spotless Lamb of God is revealed as
the One who taketh away the sin of the world. Jesus stands in the sinner’s
place, and takes the guilt of the transgressor upon Himself. Looking upon
the sinner’s Substitute and Surety, the Lord Jehovah can be just, and yet be
the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. To him who accepts Christ as
his righteousness, as his only hope, pardon is pronounced; for God was in
Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. The justice, truth, and holiness
of Christ, which are approved by the law of God, form a channel through
which mercy may be communicated to the repenting, believing sinner.
Those who do not believe in Christ are not reconciled to God; but
those who have faith in Him are hid with Christ in God. “If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.
He became the sin-bearer and died on the cross to secure salvation for
every sinner who repents and returns to his loyalty to God. Only through
Christ can we obtain access to the Father
Jesus says, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” Christ
takes upon Him the sins of the transgressor, and imputes to him His righ-
teousness, and by His transforming grace makes him capable of associating
with angels and communing with God
[240]
40
The Youth’s Instructor, November 29, 1894
.
41
Letter 29, 1900
.
42
The Youth’s Instructor, January 19, 1893
.
247