“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:18-20)
***** I Saw One Hanging on a Tree Words By John Newton Tune: There is a Fountain Filled with Blood
1. In evil long I took delight, unawed by shame or fear, Till a new object struck my sight, and stopped my wild career: I saw One hanging on a tree, in agonies and blood, Who fix'd His lanquid eyes on me, as near His cross I stood.
2. Sure never till my latest breath, can I forget that look; It seemed to charge me with His death, though not a word He spoke. My conscience felt and owned the guilt, and plunged me in despair; I saw my sins His blood had spilt, and help'd to nail Him there.
3. Alas! I knew not what I did; but now my tears are vain; Where shall my trembling soul be hid? For I the Lord have slain! A second look He gave, which said, 'I freely all forgive; This blood is for thy ransom paid, I die, that thou mayst live.
4. Thus while His death my sin displays, In all its blackest hue (Such is the mystery of grace), It seals my pardon too. With pleasing grief and mournful joy, My Spirit now is fill'd, That I should such a life destroy, Yet live by Him I killed.
What Manner of Man Is This? “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:41) All religious reformers and messiahs come to live; He came to die. All others leave monuments and memorials; no one can find His birthplace, grave, nor one possession. All others write diaries and memoirs; He wrote on the sand. All others choose their followers from the rich, powerful, and influential; He chose the poor and needy. All others praise human righteousness; He condemned it. All others seek those who can help them; He sought those whom He could help. All others promise success and happiness to their followers; He promised tribulation and suffering. All others hold their disciples with fear and force; He invited his to leave Him if they would. All others have palaces, mansions, and headquarters; He had no place to lay His head. All others reward the most talented with recognition, titles, and honor; He said, "THE LEAST shall be greatest." All others say, "Follow me; I will show you the way;" He said, "Come to Me, I AM THE WAY." All others claim to be messengers of God; He said, "He that hath seen Me hath seen God!" All others stay dead; . . . . . . He arose and all of His claims, works, and promises are true because God raised Him from the dead . --Pastor Henry Mahan ***** No Condemnation in Christ It is the unspeakable privilege and comfort of all those that are in Christ Jesus that there is therefore now no condemnation to them. He does not say, "There is no accusation against them," for this there is; but the accusation is thrown out, and the indictment quashed. He does not say, "There is nothing in them that deserves condemnation," for this there is, and they see it, and own it, and mourn over it, and condemn themselves for it; but it shall not be their ruin. He does not say, "There is no cross, no affliction to them or no displeasure in the affliction," for this there may be; but no condemnation. They may be chastened of the Lord, but not condemned with the world. Now this arises from their being in Christ Jesus; by virtue of their union with Him through faith they are thus secured. They are in Christ Jesus, as in their city of refuge, and so are protected from the avenger of blood. He is their advocate, and brings them off. There is therefore no condemnation, because they are interested in the satisfaction that Christ by dying made to the law. In Christ, God does not only not condemn them, but is well pleased with them, Matthew 17:5. --Matthew Henry (1662-1714) ***** The Infinite Christ Thank God, what the Savior has provided for us is possessed of limitless resources. There is no shortness or straitness in Him. There is infinite value in that precious blood which He shed upon the Cross to make an atonement for sin. There is infinite pity in His heart toward sinners. There is infinite readiness and willingness on His part to receive all who come to Him. There is infinite power in His arm to deliver and keep that which is committed unto Him. There is no sinner so depraved that Christ's blood cannot cleanse him. There is no sinner so bound by the fetters of Satan that Christ cannot free him. There is no sinner so weary and despondent that Christ cannot satisfy him. The promise of the Savior Himself is, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). O sin-sick soul, put Him to the test for yourself, and see. Come to Christ just as you are, in all your wretchedness and need, and He will gladly receive you, blot out all your iniquities, and put a new song in your mouth. May God in His grace cause some despondent ones to prove for themselves the infinite sufficiency of His Son. --Arthur W. Pink
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