"When wisdom entereth into thine heart,and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee." (Proverbs 2:10-11)
THE INNOCENT FOR THE GUILTY
When Adam sinned, the Lord provided a sacrifice to die in the stead of the fallen man and his wife. "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). The Lord killed and skinned animals in order to cloth our guilty, naked parents. The animals were innocent of any rebellion against God and thus was implemented a vital truth seen throughout the Bible: if the guilty are to be delivered from judgment, an innocent victim must die in their place. In chapter four of Genesis, we find Abel offering to God "of his flock" (verse 4) to die in his stead. While Abel was a guilty sinner, the animal was not and it was sacrificed to God as his substitute. Hundreds of years later, when the Passover lambs were slain, God commanded that they be "without blemish" and to make certain there was no imperfection, the lambs were to be kept up four days for inspection (Exodus 12:5-6). Of course none of those sacrifices could ever put away sin, but they all pointed to the one offering that would, the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. When Christ died, He was the Innocent dying for the guilty to satisfy divine justice. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18). "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14). Christ was the High Priest and the sacrifice which He offered was Himself which was not and could not be contaminated with sin. He was the perfect and innocent sacrifice unto God, which is why Paul said He was "a sweet smelling savour" (Ephesians 5:2). He was the unblemished, unspotted offering presented to God in the stead of His guilty people which was accepted as was evidenced by His resurrection. O glorious message of good news! The Innocent died and arose for the guilty, sins have been put away, everlasting righteousness has been brought in and all for whom the Substitute laid down His life shall live forever.
--- Pastor Jim Byrd
Doctrine of Christ
This doctrine most abases man in that he has not, nor could not do anything in the world to produce these things. I deserved it not, nor procured it, nor had any hand in the doing of it. God will have it so that no flesh should glory. {I Cor.1:29} That God may be all and man nothing. I am nothing. {I Cor.13:2} This is the doctrine that makes the saints more spiritual, and thankful. This fills us with joy and gladness, praise and thankfulness to God and to glory in Him and to call Christ by his right name. This is his mercy that they shall call him the Lord our Righteousness. {Jer.23:6} - This doctrine causes the soul to be most serviceable to God and to serve him freely and cheerfully. Until men know they are delivered, they cannot serve God freely, but contrary doctrine fills men with slavish fears, to do duties to escape hell, and get heaven. - This is the doctrine that will hold when all fails, because it is built upon the truth. The Gospel is the word of truth, {Col.1:5,} therefore, this doctrine we embrace. - This is the doctrine that holds up the soul and keeps us from sinking and fainting in the sight and sense of sin. This doctrine removes many objections which otherwise would trouble and discourage us. This doctrine says, there is nothing to pay; all is paid. It cost Christ dear, that it might cost us nothing. It’s not of works, nor according to our works. {II Tim.1:9} Our life is hid with Christ in God. {Col.3:3} The answer of a good conscience is; O God, your Son has died for me. Satisfaction is made. What more can you require of me? Oh the unsearchable riches of Christ. {Eph.3:8}
--- Samuel Richardson {Divine Consolations Part 3, 1649}
Everlasting Love of God in Christ
This is that everlasting love which hath been from God's eternal settlements. – That love wherewith the Church has been loved everlastingly before she was drawn and therefore is she at last drawn by the fruit of it in open loving-kindness. – It is expressed thus; “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” It is neither ‘I will love you’ with an everlasting love; nor ‘I do love you’ with an everlasting love; but that I have done it! It is not I will; because it was about a deed of settlement; and to have said ‘I will love thee’ with an everlasting love, had argued the thing yet to be settled, founded and made sure; but that same love could not be wanting, for ‘twas done. That love was not to be settled with God hereafter, but was settled already; and from thence inclusively upon this lasting bottom of the Love, the everlastingness of it that hath been, is to be continued and perpetuated the everlastingness of the same love hereafter. It is not ‘I do love you’ with an everlasting love, for the same reason; but I have, to show that it is by grace, and not by present or future faith, repentance, works of righteousness, holiness etc. He hath loved Jacob, and hated Esau, before they have done good or evil. Observe, the Love of God is the glory of His Grace; it is the top and quintessence (the purest or most perfect example) of all His mercy to the elect, even whilst they lie dead in trespasses and sins. The fall being decreed subserviently (useful in promoting a purpose or an end) to exalt the riches of God's grace and love towards the elect. Eph.2:4,5.
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