IT is in the slain Lamb of God alone that the awakened soul finds peace; because that Sacrifice speaks of forgiveness of sins and eternal redemption, and manifests also the blessed truth, that that veil which separated between God and His people, is rent in twain from the top to the bottom, and has brought the mercy-seat into full view.
The finished work of Jesus is the perpetual consolation of God’s elect. They find liberty in nothing else; and the liberty proclaimed in that “one Offering which was once offered” is full and complete. It is a freedom made by the Son of God Himself, and therefore connected with infinite and everlasting results; a freedom, originating in the will and pleasure of God according to His eternal counsel and purpose, flowing forth, when the fullness of time came, in the free gift of His only begotten Son; a freedom secured by the blood of the everlasting covenant, and given freely, without money and without price, to them that believe—even to as many as the Lord our God shall call. The work of Christ makes sure our freedom from the law of sin and death, and our liberty to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus; it bears witness to our deliverance from the power of darkness, and translation into, the kingdom of God’s dear Son, who ever liveth to make intercession for us.
More happy, but not more secure,
The souls of the blessed in heaven.
The various attributes of God shine forth with divine lustre and glory in the finished work of Jesus, and the everlasting salvation therein wrought for us, is most truly “the perfect law of liberty.” It is perfect and everlasting love displayed in bringing many sons to glory—in perfecting for ever them that are sanctified; so that the believing soul exclaims, when estimating, by the Spirit’s teaching, this eternal redemption, “As for God, His way is perfect.” Infinite holiness is here exhibited, as well as unfathomable love; truth and righteousness, as well as mercy and peace; the sternest justice, as well as the richest grace; the most consummate skill and wisdom, as well as the deepest humility and self-abasement; infinite hatred and unsparing judgment of sin, as well as the tenderest compassion toward the sinner; the holiness of the law confirmed, as well as its curse borne and abolished. In short, look where we may in the accomplished work of the Mediator of the new covenant, either God-ward or to us-ward, perfection is written on it all. The Majesty on high discharged every vial of wrath the sins of His people merited, and yet found a savor of rest in the Offering. The believer is set free from every bond, delivered from the wrath to come, and made meet for the presence of God. The Lord Jesus glorified God, and saved the lost; and so infinitely efficacious was the value of His work, that “after He had offered one Sacrifice for sins for ever, He sat down on the right hand of God, from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool.” (Heb. x. 12, 13.)
Blessed liberty, beloved! blessed to look into, but more blessed to continue therein. It is on such ground that our souls can triumphantly join in the Apostle’s challenge, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?” What blessed freedom! every enemy put to flight, every chain that bound us to the guilt and pleasure of sin snapped asunder, God well pleased, atonement made, the Redeemer raised from the dead, and most justly exalted far above all heavens, and His people saved. Thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ! How happy it is thus to know God, and to walk in liberty—to rest in His love; but only let a thought of creature-sufficiency find a place in our hearts, or an effort to make our salvation more secure be indulged, and immediately we cease to look into, and as a necessary result slide away from, “the perfect law of liberty.” It was so with the Galatian saints, and many else have bitterly proved it. We stand by faith, and are exhorted to “stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,” and not again be entangled with the yoke of bondage. It is a liberty unknown elsewhere, inviting us even in our most falling condition, to come boldly to the throne of grace, to confess our sins, obtain mercy, find grace to help, and to be filled with joy and peace.
What gratitude and praise then become us who have been called into such a glorious liberty! Surely, He hath brought us up out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, set our feet upon a rock, established our goings, and put a new song into our mouth, even praise unto our God. His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten Him the victory. How well then doth it become us to listen to His voice, who hath thus made us to lie down in green pastures, and is leading us beside still waters. With what pleasure and resignation should we seek to do and suffer all His holy will concerning us; for it must be for blessing, yea, present blessing, and will be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, at His appearing.
It is but a “little while,” beloved, and we shall see Him face to face. This “perfect law of liberty” will then be most truly realized, and these glorious truths, now so feebly apprehended by us, will be known in full, unmixed, and perpetual enjoyment. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Let us then go forward and upward, leaning upon our Beloved, in the confidence of His perfect and unchangeable love, seeking to give Him joy, and looking for the grace that is to be brought unto us at His appearing.