TWO PRECIOUS ASSURANCES.
By M. C. W.
THERE are to the Christian no greater assurances of God's wondrous mercy than are found in the thirty-third and thirty-fourth verses of the eighth chapter of Romans. These assurances are so expressed that they are generally passed over by the ordinary reader; but they are none the less precious on that account. The verses are as follows:— "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Why did not Paul reply to the first question, "It is God," and to the second, "It is Christ"? This would have answered the questions, but there would be no ground of hope in the answers. So the apostle says, "It is God that justifieth." God can rightly bring charges. His infinite purity and knowledge can detect mistakes and failures in the most perfect; but he who can mark sins also justifies from sin. Our Adversary is our Friend. He points out the disease, but presents a remedy. He reveals through his law the sin. He applies through his gospel his righteousness. And so with the second reply. He who can condemn because he is one with the Father, Creator, and Lawgiver, died for us, to redeem us from that in which he condemns us. But more than this (he is not a dead Redeemer), he liveth again, and pleads, at the right hand of God, the virtues of his blood in behalf of his people. He lived God's law in the weakness of sinful flesh, and man stands condemned before him. But he who can condemn is our blessed Advocate, the propitiation for our sins. We come to him, trembling under our sin, expecting to meet a stern, inexorable judge, yet desiring to hope in his mercy, and find only love and compassion beaming upon us from his countenance. Falling prostrate at his feet, he lifts us up with the merciful message, "Son, thy sins are forgiven thee; go in peace." Christian, do not be discouraged at your failures and defects. There is mercy in God. But do not take his mercy as an excuse for sin, or God will be to you a consuming fire. He who forsakes sin will find that God's mercy endures forever. His promises will be as unfailing as his precepts. The One who brings charges will justify, the One who condemns pleads for us his own precious blood. Work in his strength, believe in his mercy, rest in his love.