The Childrens’ Column

Te Aroha News, Volume XVI, Issue 222054, 22 February 1900, Page 3

The Childrens’ Column

THE BLOOD OF CHRIST

You have sinned against God. Mark well, then, the important words quoted below — “Without shedding of blood is no 1 [Remission ” possible “That the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins ” (Heb. x 4). i The Gr&d against whom you have sinned has written them for your instruction, d- ar children. What do they teach ? That your prayers and i ears and good works cannot avail to blot out your sins. That nought that a sinner can do will procure forgiveness His works are all polluted by sin, and can never remove our stain. Without shedding is no remission. S..orifices such as were offered of old could not atone. There was no real value in the victims themselves, they all pointed to Christ. Man had sinned and no mere Animal could by its blood remove wjhis guilt or put away his sins. Not all the blood of beasts On Jewish altars slain Could give the guilty conscience peace, Or wash away its stain. None but Christ could accomplish atonement. But how much more shall THE BLOOD OF CHRIST “ Burge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God ” (Heb. ix 14). Is your conscience purged ? That is—are you at ease before God as to your sins? It is the blood of Christ which alone can give solid rest. It alone can purge. It alone is of value in the sight of God. God loved the jrarld and gave His Son; sent . Him To meet us in our need. The Blessed Saviour came. He was pure, spotless, holy in His path.. But this, -however, could not save us. He must be lifted up on the cross (John ii 14). HE MUST DIE IF WE WERE TO BE SAVED. His blood must he shed. By the e.'ernal Spirit He has offered Himself ■without spot to God, and God is por- ; fectly satisfied with His atoning death and raised Him from the dead. Gid is satisfied. Are you ? Can you say

Conscience now no more condemns me For His own most precious blood ; Once for all has washed and cleansed w mo. Cleansed me in the eyes of God. Having made peace through “ The hloorl of nis cross ” (Col i 20). Yes, p >aco has 1> on made. by bßod, at ihe cross of calvaiy. The infinitely holy God and His own Son were alone there. The darkness shut out all that was of mau, and God dealt v. ith His beloved Son about sin and sins. “My G id my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me,” was the solemn cry which rose from Jesus there. Fors Ben of God when hearing sins, so that we might have peace IT IS FINISHED cried as He bowed-His holy head ;and gave up the ghost. The soldier pierced his sike and therefrom came f->rth blood and water. (Wherefore water ?). Peace is made. On the first day of the week Christ, having risen from omono - the dead, came into the midst of His loved ones saying—- “ Peace be unto you ” (John xx 19). Ho had made fit at the cross by His blood. He preached it to His disciples when risen. No man or devil can unmake it. Reader, have you this peace?' “Now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by

THE BLOOD OF CTTRF=t” (Eph. it 13)

I\tr off i“ the p’ t > r’s place Tn Christ ... iria rln ni * '• •' tV' place of (he believ . T- v --h place are you ? is only by tin- Wood of Christ Hint any co Id ho hru lit out of the distance and darkness of nature and sin. his 3ins upon him the sinner shuns the light of God’s holiness. Apart from Chrises blood God could not righteously have a sinner near Him w : *hout judging him. Bn 1 Christ has died. His Wed has met all God’s rip lueons claims. Pnor Gentile dogs who were far off from God. are in Christ made nigh hv that blood. What a place ! Marie ibo first word of the quotation ; ‘ Now.’ Yes, it is a present ; blessing. And remember it is not by sacrament! nor by fastings, penances, prayers, nor tears, but by Blood that we are made nigh unto God. A *

BEING NOW JUSTIFIED'BY lIIS BLOOD (Bom. V 9). Justified —when ? Now. Justified how ?By Christ’s Wood. What does it mean to he justified? It means to be cleared from every charge of guilt. The sinner (and all have sinned) is guilty before God. His sins call loudly for judgment, hut mercy rejoices against judgment. How can a righteous God clear a guilty sinner ? By the blood of Christ, God is just, and yet the justifier of him who believes in Jesus. “ The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleansetb us from all sin ” (1 John i 7).

Uncle Arthur.