LOVE UNFATHOMABLE by Alexander R. Bell

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California, U. S. A. · Nov 11, 1930

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 57, No. 44.

LOVE UNFATHOMABLE

By Alexander R. Bell

The story of an unfathomable love that atoned for man’s transgression of God’s law, and met its demands.

ALEXANDER R. BELL

Jesus Christ, the Sin Bearer, who proved His love to mankind by giving His life on the cross that sinners might live.

When man sinned, he broke God’s law. The one who would take man’s place in the plan of redemption, and make atonement for God’s holy law transgressed, must, in the very nature of the case, be as holy as the law. No one could be found but Jesus.

To atone for God’s holy law, and at the same time save man, it must be that whoever would save man must put himself in man’s place. He must be subject to the same tendency and the same temptation to sin and to break God’s holy law as man. In other words, the one who would atone for sin must be as holy as God, yet he must be as subject to sin as man. He must be tempted and tried, and must triumph in every experience where man has fallen. None other but Jesus could be found. And for the Son of God to do this, He must become man. As a man He must meet sin in all its forms, and triumph over it. Only thus could the Son of God become man’s Saviour. Christ must be victorious over every sin, to reveal to man how he may have victory over every sin.

JESUS, CAPTAIN OF SALVATION

“We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren. . . . Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.” Hebrews 2:9-18.

“We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15, 16.

“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4, 5.

This is the story of the Man Christ Jesus, —Son of God, Son of man, our Saviour.

MAN CHOSE TO SIN

Now man chose to sin. The finished work of sin is death. Death is the demand of God’s transgressed law. In the death of the man the demands of the law would have been satisfied. But death was not in God’s plan. His plan was that man should live. Even though man sinned, God saw the possibilities of grace in redemption. He yearned to save man from perishing, because He loved him. But there stood that broken law demanding the life of the transgressor. Life is forfeited by sin. And right there, before that broken law, is where love in all its fullness was manifested. The love of God reaches down to a poor sinner, and lo, a miracle. He stands before God as if he had never sinned.

The Son of God, holy and undefiled, took man’s place, and died for him. We read: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

“When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. . . . But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.

That marvel of love unfathomable atoned for man’s transgression of God’s holy law and met its demands, and, wonder of wonders, reconciled the sinner to God.

“When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.” Verse 10.

The grave could not hold the Son of God. Inanimate nature, bewildered, amazed, heard the message of the Eternal, and Jesus came forth from the tomb. And, follows the scripture, “Much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

Wonderful, marvelous, amazing, unfathomable love! What a wonderful God is Jehovah!