按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
In the apostasy； man alienated himself from God； earth was cut off from heaven。 Across the gulf that lay between； there could be no communion。 But through Christ； earth is again linked with heaven。 With His own merits； Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made； so that the ministering angels can hold communion with man。 Christ connects fallen man in his weakness and helplessness with the Source of infinite power。
21
But in vain are men's dreams of progress； in vain all efforts for the uplifting of humanity； if they neglect the one Source of hope and help for the fallen race。 〃Every good gift and every perfect gift〃 （James 1：17） is from God。 There is no true excellence of character apart from Him。 And the only way to God is Christ。 He says； 〃I am the way； the truth； and the life： no man cometh unto the Father； but by Me。〃 John 14：6。
The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death。 In giving up His Son； He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift。 The Saviour's life and death and intercession； the ministry of angels； the pleading of the Spirit； the Father working above and through all； the unceasing interest of heavenly beings；all are enlisted in behalf of man's redemption。
Oh； let us contemplate the amazing sacrifice that has been made for us！ Let us try to appreciate the labor and energy that Heaven is expending to reclaim the lost； and bring them back to the Father's house。 Motives stronger； and agencies more powerful； could never be brought into operation； the exceeding rewards for right…doing； the enjoyment of heaven； the society of the angels； the communion and love of God and His Son； the elevation and extension of all our powers throughout eternal agesare these not mighty incentives and encouragements to urge us to give the heart's loving service to our Creator and Redeemer？
And； on the other hand； the judgments of God pronounced against sin； the inevitable retribution； the
22
degradation of our character； and the final destruction； are presented in God's word to warn us against the service of Satan。
Shall we not regard the mercy of God？ What more could He do？ Let us place ourselves in right relation to Him who has loved us with amazing love。 Let us avail ourselves of the means provided for us that we may be transformed into His likeness； and be restored to fellowship with the ministering angels； to harmony and communion with the Father and the Son。
（23）
Repentance
How shall a man be just with God？ How shall the sinner be made righteous？ It is only through Christ that we can be brought into harmony with God； with holiness； but how are we to come to Christ？ Many are asking the same question as did the multitude on the Day of Pentecost； when； convicted of sin； they cried out； 〃What shall we do？〃 The first word of Peter's answer was； 〃Repent。〃 Acts 2：37； 38。 At another time； shortly after； he said； 〃Repent； 。 。 。 and be converted； that your sins may be blotted out。〃 Acts 3：19。
Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it。 We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness； until we turn away from it in heart； there will be no real change in the life。
There are many who fail to understand the true nature of repentance。 Multitudes sorrow that they have sinned and even make an outward reformation because they fear that their wrongdoing will bring suffering upon themselves。 But this is not repentance in the Bible sense。 They lament the suffering rather than the sin。 Such was the grief of Esau when he saw that the birthright was lost to him forever。 Balaam； terrified by the angel standing in his pathway with drawn sword； acknowledged his guilt lest he should lose his life； but there was no genuine repentance for sin； no conversion of purpose； no abhorrence of evil。 Judas Iscariot； after betraying his
24
Lord； exclaimed； 〃I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood。〃 Matthew 27：4。
The confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a fearful looking for of judgment。 The consequences that were to result to him filled him with terror； but there was no deep； heartbreaking grief in his soul； that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God and denied the Holy One of Israel。 Pharaoh； when suffering under the judgments of God； acknowledged his sin in order to escape further punishment； but returned to his defiance of Heaven as soon as the plagues were stayed。 These all lamented the results of sin； but did not sorrow for the sin itself。
But when the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God； the conscience will be quickened； and the sinner will discern something of the depth and sacredness of God's holy law； the foundation of His government in heaven and on earth。 The 〃Light； which lighteth every man that cometh into the world；〃 illumines the secret chambers of the soul； and the hidden things of darkness are made manifest。 John 1：9。 Conviction takes hold upon the mind and heart。 The sinner has a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and feels the terror of appearing； in his own guilt and uncleanness； before the Searcher of hearts。 He sees the love of God； the beauty of holiness； the joy of purity； he longs to be cleansed and to be restored to communion with Heaven。
The prayer of David after his fall； illustrates the nature of true sorrow for sin。 His repentance was sincere and deep。 There was no effort to palliate
25
his guilt； no desire to escape the judgment threatened； inspired his prayer。 David saw the enormity of his transgression； he saw the defilement of his soul； he loathed his sin。 It was not for pardon only that he prayed； but for purity of heart。 He longed for the joy of holinessto be restored to harmony and communion with God。 This was the language of his soul：
〃Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven； whose sin is covered。 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity； And in whose spirit there is no guile。〃 Psalm 32：1； 2。 〃Have mercy upon me； O God； according to Thy loving…kindness： According unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions。 。 。 。 For I acknowledge my transgressions： and my sin is ever before me。 。 。 。 Purge me with hyssop； and I shall be clean： wash me； and I shall be whiter than snow。 。 。 。 Create in me a clean heart； O God； And renew a right spirit within me。 Cast me not away from Thy presence； And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me。 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation； And uphold me with Thy free spirit。 。 。 。 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness； O God； Thou God of my salvation： And my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness。〃 Psalm 51：1…14。
A repentance such as this； is beyond the reach of our own power to accomplish； it is obtained on