"THE work of Jesus in the world is two-fold. It is a work accomplished for us, destined to effect reconciliation between God and man; it is a work accomplished in us, with the object of effecting our sanctification. By the one, a right relation is established between God and us; by the other is the fruit of the re-established order. By the former the condemned sinner is received into the state of grace: by the latter the pardoned sinner is associated with the life of God. How many express themselves as if when forgiveness, with the peace which it procures has been once obtained, all is finished, and the work of salvation complete. They seem to have no suspicion that salvation consists in the health of the soul, and that the health of the soul consists in holiness. Forgiveness is not the re-establishment of health, it is but the crisis of convalescence. If God thinks fit to declare the sinner righteous, it is in order that He may by that means restore him to holiness."— Godet. I. LIFE AND LIFE MORE ABUNDANT. INTRODUCTORY. T is an unhappy circumstance that so many IT Christians look upon the salvation of the soul as the goal rather than as the starting point of faith. We do not forget indeed that the Scripture uses the expression "receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." But the connection clearly shows that it is the further end, not the nearer end which is here referred to, the perfecting and glorifying of the soul at the revelation of Jesus Christ, not its justification when it believes on Christ. "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life" ciple. But Christ says, might have life, and has it in germ and prin "I am come that they that they might have it more abundantly." * Christ for us, appropriated by faith is the source of life; Christ within us * John 10: 10. |