Basic HTML Version
Christ Bridged the Gulf Caused by Sin, January 9
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
.
Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be
first in heaven. He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them
away from their Creator, and to win their homage to himself. Therefore he
misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation. With his
own evil characteristics he sought to invest the loving Creator. Thus he deceived
angels. Thus he deceived men. He led them to doubt the word of God, and to
distrust His goodness. Because God is a God of justice and terrible majesty, Satan
caused them to look upon Him as severe and unforgiving. Thus he drew men to
join him in rebellion against God, and the night of woe settled down upon the
world.
The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows
might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan’s deceptive
power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force
is contrary to the principles of God’s government; He desires only the service of
love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only
by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be
manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all
the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God
could make it known. Upon the world’s dark night the Sun of Righteousness must
rise, “with healing in his wings” (
Malachi 4:2
).
The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after
the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of “the mystery which hath been kept in
silence through times eternal” (
Romans 16:25
, R.V.). It was an unfolding of the
principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God’s throne. From
the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of
man through the deceptive power of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin
should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible
emergency....
Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our
trials, and sympathizes with our griefs. Every son and daughter of Adam may
understand that our Creator is the friend of sinners. For in every doctrine of grace,
every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine attraction presented in the
Saviour’s life on earth, we see “God with us.”—
The Desire of Ages, 21-24
.
[24]
14