THE ATONING BLOOD OF CHRIST by S. C. WELCOME

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 23, 1858

THE ATONING BLOOD OF CHRIST.

By S. C. WELCOME

WHILE reading a letter in the Review, Vol. xiii, No. 1, I was forcibly struck by a question asked by the writer, in the following language: "O, is there power in the atoning blood of Christ to cleanse from sin here on earth?" And while meditating upon the power of that atoning blood to save, and the purpose for which it was shed, I seemed to hear a voice saying, Hath Christ died in vain? No! It is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ came into the world to save sinners. He died to save them, thereby offering himself a perfect sacrifice for sin. Hear the promises God has given to us: "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you," &c. Eze. xxxvi, 25, 29. And to this the Apostle plainly refers in that exhortation, "Having these promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Cor. vii, 1. And in Eph. iii, 14, he prays that they may be rooted and grounded in love, and be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God.

Again, 1 Thess. v, 23, "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly," &c. Jesus says, "Be ye perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matt. v, 48. Again he says, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Matt. xxii, 37.

The Scripture is full of proof on this point, and so plain, that were it not for the habit men have of following the traditions of the fathers, instead of reading and understanding for themselves, we should easily learn the way of life and salvation.

Many teachers tell us we cannot be perfect until death. Then why did Christ command it? and why did he leave his holy habitation to come to this sin-cursed earth, and suffer the ignominious death of the cross? Was it not to save his people from their sins? to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works? Thank God! he fulfilled the mission for which he came. He opened a fountain in the house of David, for sin and uncleanness, and returned to his Father to make intercession for those for whom he died. The Father looks down with pitying eye upon poor fallen man, and for his Son's sake saves all who come to him, pleading the merits of his blood, and by simple faith, lay hold on him as their Saviour.

Brethren and sisters, have we complied with the requisites of the gospel? Have we presented ourselves a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God? Do we all believe in a present and full salvation? that the blood of Christ can cleanse from all sin here? Or do we imagine that we must carry about with us, the body of this death, as Paul expresses it, and when we would do good, to have evil present with us, sinning and repenting all our days; sometimes on the mountain's top, then again mourning over our sinful hearts, filled with inward corruption? May God help us to examine our hearts; and if sin is remaining in them, come to the fountain open for uncleanness, have faith in God, believe him when he says, "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and will cleanse you from all your uncleanness." He has begotten the desire in our hearts for holiness, and will he not gratify that desire? Most assuredly he will, if we believe his word; for he is not only just and faithful to forgive us our sins, but also to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Then, says one, why are there so few that enjoy a present salvation. I answer, Because so few seek for it.

Some prefer to carry a few darling sins about them, while they live, (thinking that they can get rid of them just before they die,) than to forsake all for Christ. It is so humiliating to become as little children, and to live good, humble christians, especially in this age of reform, when a form of godliness passes with the majority for good christianity! If one happens to have the power as well as the form, he is considered fanatical.

There are others who have a strong desire to be freed from all sin, but are taught that they must wait until death comes to free them. They struggle along in sin, and if they do not give up religion entirely, they live a cold, formal life, alike comfortless to themselves, and useless to others.

But there is another class, who are continually panting for holiness of heart, and are often heard to say, I want a deeper work of grace in my heart, but have been so instructed that they do not know what to do to be made free. Some tell them they must do certain works, to inherit eternal life. O, that I could explain to them the way of life and salvation as I can see it. I can enjoy that perfect love in my own soul; I can have that atoning blood applied to my poor heart and feel its cleansing power; but I cannot put my feelings into words; and I feel incompetent to teach others. But while I see so many that need instruction, I am often led to cry out, Where are the watchmen that should stand on Zion's wall? Where are those that God has called to proclaim the good news of salvation to dying men? O that their tongues might be touched with a live coal from off God's altar, that they might be as flaming torches as they run to and fro through the land. Thank God there are some that are proclaiming the last message of mercy. O may they ever give the trumpet a certain sound, that all who hear may flee to Christ.

But there is need of all God's children being at work. There is much to be done. We must exhort and rebuke and instruct, while the day lasts. I want to see more written on the subject of holiness. May God inspire the hearts of his dear children that they may write more on this important subject.

The substance of the first and great commandment is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy soul." How important this command! I do not know that I can give any light on this subject, but I will give my views, hoping that I may drop some word that will assist some humble enquirer after truth.

In the first place the question is asked, How shall I come to God to have this work wrought in my heart? I answer, in the same way that the sick came to Christ to be healed. They saw themselves diseased in body, and incapable of curing themselves. They believed that Christ had the power to heal. They applied to him. The faith of one was so strong, as we read, that she believed if she had touched the hem of his garment, she should be healed; and she was made whole. O, what an example of faith! Can we not follow it?

When we were far from God by wicked works, transgressors of his holy law, he showed us our situation. We were lost and undone forever, unless we came to him, and had our sins forgiven. We were led to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. His blood was applied to our hearts; our sins were forgiven; we were made happy in a Saviour's love; we rejoiced for a season; and then we made another discovery in our hearts; there remained some of the carnal mind that had not been rooted out; it seemed to us that all was corruption within us; sin yet had dominion over us; we sometimes doubted as to our conversion; the light still shines into our hearts; and we see that we are diseased throughout, and cry out, Create within me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me; restore unto me the joys of thy salvation. God has now enlightened our minds, and shows us that he wills even our sanctification.

Now let us come to him to be healed, believing that he is willing to save us, and fill us right early with his love. Lay all upon the altar. Do not keep back part of the price, but give yourself up, your will, your all, saying, Here Lord I am, sinful and polluted, but I cannot make myself better. I come to thee. Thou hast begotten these desires in my heart, and now as I comply with thy requirements, I believe that according to thy promise, thou wilt accept of me and make me wholly thine. This moment, Lord, let refining fire go through my heart, and sanctify the whole.

And while you thus dedicate yourself to God, exercise faith in him; rely upon him; and if you do not feel the assurance of being accepted immediately, calmly trust in and wait for him, and you will be enabled to say, I believe, the work is done, I am the Lord's and he is mine.

Your offering is accepted. O what peace flows into the soul; gratitude springs up in the heart; you feel like shouting forth praises to God, or perhaps you feel > That sacred awe that dares not move, > And all the silent heaven of love.

Your will is submitted. You have no will but his. Love takes possession of the heart; glory fills the soul. You drink from the well of salvation, and feed on heavenly food. You have laid hold on Christ, and had a fresh application of his blood to your heart. You have obtained present and full salvation, by simple faith.

Now begin to reckon yourself dead indeed unto sin and alive unto God. You can look up and cry, Abba, Father.

But O, how humble you feel before God. You have done nothing to merit your salvation; it is a free gift; and faith was the channel through which you received it. You do not feel like taking any praise to yourself, as you might reasonably do had you done some mighty work; but you simply relied on God's word, and he made you free. And while heretofore you have been led to cry out, O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death, you can now say, I thank God who hath given me deliverance through Jesus Christ our Lord. You can now say with Paul, There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

But now having been made free from sin, can we always remain so? Yes, if we walk by faith and are led by the Spirit; for they that are led by the Spirit of God, are the sons of God. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who hath loved us, says Paul; for I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Having this assurance, then, go on. The Devil will tell you that you will fall; and you will if you listen to him. He will tell you that although you have received a great blessing, you had better not say anything about it, until you see whether you can live or not. But fear not to declare what God hath done for your soul. His grace is sufficient for you. In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. He will be your rock and strong fortress, into which you may run and be safe. You will find him a sure hiding place in time of trouble. God dwells in you and you in him. Yes, Christ is formed in the heart the hope of glory. And while he is in the heart, no sin is there; and although you once felt that you had inward foes to contend with, they are now cast out; and, having on the whole armor of God, you will be enabled to withstand all the power which the enemy shall bring against you. Your foes being outward, will be easily overcome, if you fight in the strength of Israel's God. Your temptations will be great, no doubt; but he will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able to bear.

But do not expect that you can ever be so perfect that you will not be liable to mistakes; for you may err in judgment; for none can attain perfection in this respect, in this life. Some may be continually filled with the love of God, their motives all good, and their souls continually uplifted to God, and yet, says Wesley, "they may have shattered bodies, and be so pressed down thereby that they cannot always exert themselves as they would, by thinking, speaking, or acting exactly right. For want of better bodily organs, they must at times think, speak, or act wrong; not indeed through defect of love, but through a defect of knowledge." And while this is the case, notwithstanding that defect and its consequences, they fulfil the law of love. Yet as even in this case there is not a full conformity to the perfect law; so the most perfect do on this account need the blood of the atonement, and may properly for themselves as well as for their brethren, say, Forgive us our trespasses. Wesley on Christian Perfection, p. 116.

Christ is continually interceding for us, knowing our many infirmities, and there is an abiding merit in his death, which frees us from the condemnation of the law. And being freed from condemnation, we have peace with God, and the Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are accepted of him.

While the corruption of the heart remained, sin had dominion over us; but now being made free from sin and becoming the servants of God, we shall have our fruit unto holiness, and the end will be everlasting life. Having yielded ourselves up as servants to God, we render perfect obedience to his will; when tempted, we feel no inclination to sin; we see our inability to resist temptation in our own strength; we feel humbled before God; our hearts flow out in gratitude to him for the grace he gives us, which enables us to overcome; we have no pleasure in sin; we delight to do the will of God; yes, we can sing with the Psalmist, that we "delight in the law of God after the inward man."

Now what has wrought this mighty change? Is it anything we have done? No: "Thy faith hath made thee whole." This was said to those who were healed of their bodily diseases when they came to Christ; and I believe it can be said to the weary pilgrim when he ends his toilsome journey at the gates of the golden city. "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."

What! Is faith the sole condition of salvation? I believe it is. By faith we are led to see our own sinful situation. By faith we see the plan that God has laid for our salvation. By faith we see the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. By faith we plunge into that fountain and wash away the stains that sin has made; and then by faith strive to walk in all of the ordinances of the Lord's house blameless. Living faith produces good works. I know some say that there are stepping-stones towards heaven; that faith is but one step, and that works is another. But if we never reach heaven until we have some good works to bring that have merit in themselves, pleading our own merit instead of the merits of Christ, I fear we should stop outside the gates. If we have faith in God, we shall keep his commandments; but we shall not be saved for keeping his commandments; and yet in keeping his commandments there is great reward.

O let us examine ourselves and see whether we be in the faith. Let us contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered to the saints, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us have our lamps trimmed and burning, and oil in our vessels. Let us be sober and watch unto prayer. It is a time of severe trial to many of the little flock, but praise God! if we will walk in the way that is cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in, the highway of holiness, Israel's God will go with us and guide our feet, that we step not out by the way. O that we may all struggle on a little longer, seeking to be pure and holy, a peculiar people unto the Lord, and may the God of peace sanctify us wholly, and preserve us blameless unto the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is the prayer of your unworthy brother in Christ.

S. C. WELCOME.

Almond, Wis., Dec. 5th, 1858.