310
Selected Messages Book 1
the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (
Romans 8:3, 4
).
The Lord saw our fallen condition; He saw our need of grace, and
because He loved our souls, He has given us grace and peace. Grace
means favor to one who is undeserving, to one who is lost. The fact
that we are sinners, instead of shutting us away from the mercy and
love of God, makes the exercise of His love to us a positive necessity
in order that we may be saved. Christ says, “Ye have not chosen me,
but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring
forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (
John 15:16
).
When Adam fell, provision was made for his restoration. In due
time Jesus, the Prince of life, came to our world to enter into con-
troversy with the powers of darkness. In this world Satan had an
opportunity to exhibit the result of the working out of his principles
of freedom from all law, and Christ, by His unswerving obedience to
His Father’s commandments, made manifest the result of practicing
[348]
the principles of righteousness. In accordance with his principles of
evil, Satan harassed the Son of God with fierce temptations, and finally
brought Him to the judgment hall, that He might be condemned to
death without cause. The confederacy of evil moved upon the hearts
of men to work out the principles of evil. Christ and Barabbas were
presented before the multitude. Barabbas was a notable robber and
murderer; Christ was the Son of God. Pilate looked upon the two,
and thought there would be no hesitation in the choice of Jesus. The
marks of nobility, intelligence, and purity were plainly revealed in His
countenance, in marked contrast to the coarse features of Barabbas. He
asked, “Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? (
Matthew
27:21
). And the hoarse cry of the infuriated mob was heard, calling,
“Barabbas.” “Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus
which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried
out the more, saying, Let him be crucified” (
Matthew 27:22, 23
).
Satan Defeated by Christ’s Death
In this choice the principles of Satan were made manifest; and the
hosts of heaven, and all the worlds that God had created, judged that
Satan was an accuser of the brethren, a liar, and a murderer. In heaven