Читать книгу The Gospel Day; Or, the Light of Christianity - Charles Ebert Orr - Страница 22

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Justification by grace through faith in Jesus does not end with a forgiveness of past transgressions only, but includes the impartation of the divine, or eternal life to the soul. The blood of animals offered for sins in the Jewish economy was unable to impart this life to the offerer of the sacrifice. Jesus says, “I am come that ye might have life.” “Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” “He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” “God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

The process by which man enters the natural life is termed a birth or generation. The process by which man enters the spiritual life is expressed by the words, “being born again,” or “regeneration.” With the words “being born again” we naturally associate life. When Nicodemus heard the words he thought the process of bringing into physical life was to be repeated. The Savior told him, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of [pg 072] the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6. In life there is activity and power. Not only are the transgressions forgiven, but by regeneration life and power come into the soul, which gives man strength to resist sin. The Israelite only hoped for a forgiveness of his past sin through his offering. That beautiful hope of constant victory over sin was not his to enjoy. He knew the power of sin and the weakness of his offering; consequently he expected naught else but to offer his sacrifices over and over, day by day, and year by year continually. He who to-day comes to God pleading for forgiveness of his sins through the offering of the eternal Son and expects to still continue in sin enjoys no better hope than a Jew. He dishonors the great sacrifice of God's Son by counting it no more than the sacrifice of animals.

In regeneration the holy, pure, divine life comes into the soul. Man passes from “death unto life.” The dominion of sin has come to an end. Sin is dethroned and its kingdom destroyed. Regenerated man is crowned a king. The royal robes of white enshroud him. The scepter of righteousness he sways triumphantly and reigns a mighty conqueror, “a king and priest unto God.” Praise and honor to his name!

This new life within man's soul finds expression in a new life without. Since the new life within is holy and pure the new life without is holy and pure. [pg 073] “Make the inside of the cup and platter clean and the outside will be clean also.” The apostle John tells us the manner of life that follows “being born again.” “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:18. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him: and he can not sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9. This text does not teach the impossibility of committing sin as some have supposed, but the impossibility of committing sin and retaining the spiritual birth. In 1 John 2:29 we are clearly taught that righteousness of life succeeds the regeneration of man. Sin belongs only to Satan and sinners. It is not found in the life of God, nor of the angels, nor of Christ, nor of the Christians.