CHRIST, LIVING, DYING, RISEN, AND GLORIFIED.

Hoa Maori, Issue 25, 1 July 1892, Page 4

CHRIST, LIVING, DYING, RISEN, AND GLORIFIED.

t LIVING Christ said, “ Come.” (tips? This little word, frequently on the lips of Jesus, expressed the grace of the Father’s heart, and of His own, to all who heard it. Sent from glory to invite the lost and guilty, no word could more simply and suitably express the deep and divine desires of a God of infinite love towards poor prodigal man. Hear reader, have you heard in your inmost soul that word Come with all its persuasive power? It implies an unconditional invitation to draw near to the God against whom all your many sins have been committed. Say now with Havid, “Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned; or with the prodigal, ; “ I have sinned against heaven ”; but come I-;,: v,God’s heart is behind God’s invitation. Full well He knows your sad rebellious history, more than memory can , recall or tongue relate, and yet He pleads, .“ Come." , * * * milord * if i

A dying Christ said, "It is finished." Redemption is now accomplished, atonement is made. The way into more than the earthly paradise, even into the presence of God is now open. His early question to Mary and Joseph was, " Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's'business ? This finds its counterpart in His dying utterance, already quoted, "It is ■ finished," "The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world."l John 4, Alone in that unutterable isolation of spirit, bearing an infinite weight of woe, rejected by man, forsaken by God, the dregs of that bitter judgment-cup were drained. Hearken to the dying words from those dying lips, •' It is finished."

A risen Christ said, Peace The first word uttered to the assembled disciples on that first day of the week by the Lord Jesus, the second Man, iu resurrection life, beyond death and judgment.—Luke 24, 36 Thus it was he greeted the company from whom death had for a little while separated Him. Peace- -the fruit and effect of atonement accomplished in death.

Dear unsaved one, this is for you. If in simple faith you accept the resurrection of Christ from the dead as the seal of God's eternal satisfaction with His finished work upon "the cross, you will know how "peace" can displace the unrest of soul that haunts the sinner, in view of death, judgment and eternity.

An ascended, and glorified Christ says, "I come." This is His message to the waiting company who have accepted His invitation, " Come " ; believed His dying testimony, " Ife is finished" ; and known in their own souls the blessed effect of His death in peace-giving power... ; . v ...; ~ .

Christ's, heart is revealed in , this .closing communication , as ; to . His coming again, which expresses, : next to His death, j the fulness of His infinite : love, The joys, (f

the Father’s house will await us, until the fulfilment of that anticipated moment of delight to the Father, the Son, the Spirit, and the Bride. That will; be the climax and consummation of grace; ; i That of which the apostle wrote to the Thessalonians“Called by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ”2 Thess. 2, 14. then have its fulfilment. Thus a living, dying, risen and glorified Christ speaks to us in the blessed words, “Come,” “It is finished," “Peace,” “I come.” Be wise, “while it is called to-day.” “Yet a little while is the light with you, Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. M. C. G.