No Caste in Christ
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favored few with whom to associate and ignore all others. It grieves
the Spirit of God when conservatism shuts man away from his fellow
man, especially when it is found among those who profess to be His
children.
Christ came to give to the world an example of what perfect hu-
manity might be when united with divinity. He presented to the world
a new phase of greatness in His exhibition of mercy, compassion,
and love. He gave to men a new interpretation of God. As head of
humanity, He taught men lessons in the science of divine government,
whereby He revealed the righteousness of the reconciliation of mercy
and justice. The reconciliation of mercy and justice did not involve
any compromise with sin, or ignore any claim of justice; but by giving
to each divine attribute its ordained place, mercy could be exercised
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in the punishment of sinful, impenitent man without destroying its
clemency or forfeiting its compassionate character, and justice could
be exercised in forgiving the repenting transgressor without violating
its integrity.
Christ Our High Priest
All this could be, because Christ laid hold of the nature of man,
and partook of the divine attributes, and planted His cross between
humanity and divinity, bridging the gulf that separated the sinner from
God.
“For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on
him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to
be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful
high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the
sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,
he is able to succour them that are tempted” (
Hebrews 2:16-18
).
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are,
yet without sin” (
Hebrews 4:15
).
“For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men
in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices
for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that
are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself,