EDITORIAL
"And this man shall be our peace," prophesied Micah many years ago. Of whom did he speak? He spoke of the coming Messiah. And Messiah did come. His New Testament name was Jesus Christ. But, you may ask, why then don't we have peace that was prophesied? The answer is simply this, because Messiah has not yet set up His Kingdom on earth. When He does, peace will reign. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down beside the young goat, the calf and the lion will dwell together, the cow will graze with the bear, the child will play on the snake's nest, none shall hurt or destroy. Nations will make plowpoints out of their swords and pruning shears out of their spears. Nation will no longer lift up sword against nation, nor will they learn war any more. There will be peace at last, real and lasting peace when the Prince of peace establishes His throne upon the earth.
But what about now? We are pretty much, people of the here-and-now. Is there no hope of peace in this day? No, in fact, there is no hope of peace in our day, i.e. among nations, for Jesus prophesied that there would be "wars and rumors of wars." He said, "Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." It has been so since the Garden of Eden, and shall continue so until Christ Himself makes peace, when He shall reign from sea to sea.
But there IS a peace we may have here and now. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." This is not a peace by cessation of hostilities, but a peace in the midst of hostilities. "In me ye . . . have peace," said Jesus, "in the world ye shall have tribulation." This is peace that garrisons the heart; it is of God's origination; it does not at all depend upon outward circumstances. This is peace in the sound of "wars and rumors of wars." It is the heritage of the individual who puts his trust in the Prince of peace, Messiah, Jesus Christ--receiving Him as Saviour, enthroning Him in the heart as Lord. All who thus yield to King Jesus shall indeed experience "the peace of God which passeth all understanding."
This may be your experience now, regardless of all the war-clouds, and in the future you shall reign with the King.
Respectfully yours,
Arthur E. Gordon, Editor
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Dear Shut-In . . .
EXCERPTS from
LILLIAN'S LETTERS
So many of you I have never met personally, but the pen is quite a key, isn't it? It can shake a hand, wipe tears away, sometimes give them, bring a chuckle or smile, give hope, cause despair. A pen can be the conductor of soul symphonies; what a tool! To me it has given many dear and precious friends who I hope I'll meet on the other Shore if not here. God bless you. Thank you for your good letters.
Most of you know Jesus too. Aren't we blessed? Recently I had the privilege of viewing the film, "Pilgrim's Progress," penned by John Bunyan while in jail. Paul and Silas sang while imprisoned. God honored their soaring faith, and used them in exceptional ways. It took the peculiar rugged experience to bring about the peculiar--abundantly above all that could be asked or thought and has been used to encourage mankind through the ages. The film was downright fierce as it depicted the warring of the soul against the ever-onslaughts of evil, in its determination to destroy the soul. Wish you all could have enjoyed it with me. Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Daniel, David, Elijah, Elisha, the Marys, and Peter knew so well what John Bunyan was so aptly illustrating. Many of us know a bit about the rugged way too.
Sometimes it seems the devil has all the aces, but tell me, has God ever really failed? Dare we not trust the One who knows the end from the beginning? Troubles may be great and very complex, but how prone we are to be self-sufficient when things are simple. "Don't need you Lord, I can do this." S'pose God gets lonesome?
How many times do we substitute "some" in the place of "all" in Romans 8:28. He never forsakes His own. Why do we tremble so? The way grows so dark and foreboding . . . "the lightnings flash, my heart so frantic thunders; how long the quest, the cease of warring things?" Yet His promise is that He will work all things together for our highest good in the light of time and eternity. "I will not doubt tho all my ships at sea come drifting home with broken masts and sails, I will believe the hand which never fails--from seeming evil worketh good for me." things often got dark for those dear old saints, but God always brought them out "more than conquerors," praise His name!
If you've come to the "Red-Sea" place in your life, why that's old stuff to God. He has the solution, a ready one to pop into action at the precise moment. What right do we have to be worry-warts when God said, "Be anxious for nothing?" God will make a way through the flood and bring us triumphantly over. God cannot be unfaithful. We often live as though God were a fair-weather friend, not to be found in the crisis. Actually this is where He is more apt to be on hand. Why, dear Christian, we are of the Royal family. Angels have been assigned to us according to need. He jealously guards us, knows our every thought and action. Jesus never fails. Onward Christian soldiers. "When the battle is over, we shall wear a crown."
Miss Lillian Butt suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. Before her illness she was a nurse.
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"IT IS I"
A great wind blowing, tossing sea,
And rowers toiling wearily,
Far from the land where they would be.
And then One coming; drawing nigh.
What care they now for starless sky?
The Light of Life says, It is I.
What care they now for toil of oar?
For lo, the ship is at the shore,
And their Beloved they adore.
Lord of the Lake of Galilee,
Who long ago walked on the sea,
My heart is comforted in Thee.
-- Amy Carmichael
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SUFFICIENT GRACE
I cannot hope, nor can I pray
For easy paths from day to day,
But I may hope and I may pray
For grace to help along the way.
"Sufficient is My grace, you know,"
Said Jesus Christ so long ago,
And many since have proved it so.
"O Lord, Thy grace on me bestow.
"On Thee I place my hope today,
With confidence in Thee I pray,
And though be difficult my way,
I know Thou'll not my trust betray."
So when at last my life below
Is done, and to my Lord I go,
I'll stand before Him--face aglow--
And say, "Thy grace hath made it so."
-- A. E. G.
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"It Is Good That I Have Been Afflicted"
By Vivian Beers
Lucerne, California
In 1933 the Lord reached down into the miry clay, and picked my feet up, and set them on the Solid Rock, Christ Jesus.
My husband and I had been living in sin; being professional people, we had followed the world, only to find heartache and sorrow. But thank God, He saved us, and gave us a real happiness this world knows nothing of. Our lives were transformed by God's power, and we found the Scripture true where it says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:17). With new desires in our hearts, and old sinful habits broken, it was a joy to point others to Jesus Christ.
In 1952 Mr. Beers was taken Home to be with the Lord. Several years before, I had become afflicted with that crippling disease Multiple Sclerosis, and was unable to walk without assistance. When my husband was taken, my one desire was to serve Christ, but being unable to get about the question was -- HOW? The desire was so great, I counseled with the Pastor of our church. After prayer, he suggested I write and send out tracts of comfort to the bereaved. My husband had had our testimony printed in a tract, "From Wild Life to Eternal Life," that could be mailed together with the tracts of comfort. I knew at once that that was what the Lord was calling me to do, as a peace and joy filled my heart that no words can express.
I, at that time, moved to Vancouver, Washington from Los Angeles, to live with a sister, and started immediately to write letters and send tracts to the bereaved, writing by long-hand. As this disease affects the hands as well as the legs, it was quite difficult. But I prayed that God would undertake, and supply the strength, or the need, which He did in a marvelous way. I found that I could use a typewriter by using the middle finger of each hand, and He made it possible for me to purchase one at very little cost, that I could write many more letters.
At that time the war was on in Korea, and there were many requests for people to write to the boys in the Service, which was a wonderful opportunity to send out God's Word. However, then another big problem arose -- the question of money, as I was of very limited means. But God never fails; and He sent in money through the mail, by people who said they had been comforted by His Word. My one prayer, however, was that I might serve Him in full time service, but from all human outlook, it was impossible to do so, because of limited means.
In the spring of 1953 I came to Lucerne, California, my present home, to live with my brother and wife, both Born-Again Christians. The first month I arrived, a check was sent me from the church in Los Angeles, saying I would receive that amount each month for this tract ministry. Was I surprised? YES, even though I had been praying earnestly, God had answered my prayer "exceedingly abundantly above that I could ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). My heart was so filled with praise to Him, and it had been such a joy to serve Him down through these years. He has opened many new fields, a ministry into foreign lands, and souls have been saved through the sowing of His precious Word.
The work has increased, until now my time is all taken just in answering letters. The letters going out now have had to be mimeographed. However, God has never failed yet, each time a new work has opened, He has met the need. Praise His name!
Why am I writing this? For one purpose only, to give glory to God. If there has been anything accomplished, to God be the glory.
Of course, this disease has progressed, as it is a progressive disease, but I have always found His grace sufficient, and I can say, "It is good that I have been afflicted" (Psalm 119:71). His perfect will in our lives is the only place of real peace. One verse of Scripture that has helped me through many a difficult place is First Thessalonians 5:18: "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ concerning you."
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A woman in Minneapolis, Minnesota spent the last ten years of her life upon a sickbed. She scarcely knew a day without pain, and yet she gave herself to the giving of thanks to God for the very testing through which she was passing. After her triumphant death, her husband found the following poem in her Bible.
"THE WEAVER"
"My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me:
I cannot choose the colors;
He worketh steadily.
Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow,
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper,
And I, the under side.
"Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
"He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him."
(From "Three Thousand Illustrations," by Walter B. Knight;
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, Grand Rapids, Michigan.)
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BIBLE REPENTANCE
By Dana M. Pankey, D.D., Th.D.
Phoenix, Arizona
"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
-- Luke 13:3,5
BIBLE repentance is a rather unpopular subject in many churches today. But the need of repentance is just as strong today as it was the day our Lord uttered that powerful statement: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise (or, in like manner) perish."
John, the forerunner of Christ, began his great ministry with the message that men should repent (Matthew 3:1-2). The first recorded word of Divine instruction from Peter to the convicted multitude on the day of Pentecost was one of repentance. We read in Matthew 9:13, Mark 2:17, and Luke 5:32 that Jesus came "not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Also, our Lord instructed, in Luke 24:47, that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." In Acts 17:30 we read: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." (Notice, it is a positive and definite COMMAND, and to "ALL MEN" -- not just a certain few -- and for "EVERYWHERE.")
God's Word does not say, merely, that we should repent, or that He advises us to repent, or that it would be a good idea if we repented; but it definitely and positively "commandeth all men everywhere to repent." It is either repent or perish!
What we like to hear, and what we want to hear should never set the standard for what we ought to hear and need to hear. The devil is never so tickled as when he can get some easy-going, loose, compromising preacher to get up and put on the soft-pedal about repentance, or anything else that God's Holy and Divine Word teaches. Many professing Christians like to hear only the sweet comforting things of God's Word, and today if some preachers call sin by its right name, and preach the plain unvarnished truth, they are soon looking for another job. But I declare to you that nothing will do the people lasting good, and please and glorify God so much as the plain dealing with sin, calling the people to repentance, and to begin to do the will of God. Many preachers bore their guns too small for the load they have to shoot.
Why have so many churches lost their power? It is because, instead of letting the Holy Spirit lead and have His way, so many have soft-pedaled and lightened up on the plain Bible teachings, and have given the people what they like to hear. They value the truth of God less than some crowd sitting in the pews who control the church and don't want the truth preached to them. But repentance is still here in God's Word, the Bible.
What is repentance? Some define it as merely "sorrow for sin." But there are two kinds of sorrow mentioned in the Bible. There is a "Godly sorrow," and a "sorrow of the world" (II Corinthians 7:10). The question is: How sorry are we about our sins? Are we sorry because we have broken the heart of God, or are we sorry because we got caught? If merely being sorry for our sins is repentance, then hell is full of repentant sinners, for in hell there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth." Friends, you can be sorry all you want, but if your sorrow is not that Godly sort which will not only make a person forsake his wrong, but make it right, then it is not worth the breath that it takes to tell it.
Then what really is repentance? Repentance is actually and really turning away from the life of sin and rejection of Christ, and turning by faith to God and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. It is an immediate and thorough turning to God, accompanied by a true and faithful future life.
People need to learn of the awful and hideous character of sin, so much so that it will cause us to have a Godly sorrow for sin, make an open confession of it, and quit deliberately and willfully sinning against the Holy and Righteous God.
Certainly the Bible, over and over, says to believe to be saved. But repentance is coupled with the call to faith. The Philippian jailor asked, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas told him to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved . . ." But the jailor had already been awakened to the power of God, and to his personal need of salvation. His agonized cry was evidence of his deep conviction.
Only four chapters later we see the substance of Paul's testimony, when he said that he had taught "publicly, from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." "Repent ye, and believe the gospel," said our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have to have a change of heart (not just a handshake). We must have a strong conviction, a Godly contrition, and make an honest confession. To be saved we must repent and be forgiven!
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (this has never changed). "The wages of sin is death" (this has never been taken out of the Bible). "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (this is still in the Bible). "He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (this is still true).
When a lost person comes humbly to the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer and full repentance and says something to this effect: "Lord, I'm a sinner and I know it . . . I plead nothing but that I am just a lost, wrecked, ruined, condemned, hopeless, helpless, undone and hell-bound sinner . . . but I want salvation . . . I yield to Thee right now . . . I unload my sin right now"; when a lost sinner prays a prayer like that, in complete and unreserved surrender and sincere yieldness, and full faith and trust, he will be saved that very instant. From then on, it will be: "Living for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that I do, yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free, this is the pathway of blessing for me."
"The Lord . . . is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9).
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Our times are in His hands.
Woe to us if we would alter the clock He sets.
-- Geoffrey T. Bull
When the Lord says, "I will never leave thee or forsake thee," He not only assures us of His company but guarantees our arrival with Him at the end of the journey. -- "Lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." This is not only a guarantee of His presence, but a positive assertion that the purpose in which we have been called to serve is designed to reach its appointed and triumphant end.
-- G. T. B.
Sometimes we may feel that God is taking everything from us, yet it is only so that He may become everything to us. -- Sometimes we may feel He has broken us beyond recognition, yet it is only so that we might be like Him for ever.
-- G. T. B.
We are consciously, deliberately and habitually to contemplate the Christ. He is to be to us more than our necessary food. More precious than our loved ones, more important than our business. His claims must be prior, His company foremost, His purpose pre-eminent. In all decisions His counsel is to be final, His principles binding. He is to be always before our face until His very features become our own.
-- G. T. B.
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SERMON SERIES
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER
No. 20
THE BELIEVER'S SURETY
CHRIST DIED
I Peter 3:18
WE IN America are always looking for the "sure thing." As a result we are insured, ensured, assured, secured, guaranteed, and all the rest. And indeed in this day of insecurity, we do need something that is sure. Too often those things in which we trust are disappointing, however. But there is a "sure thing" available to us. Jesus Christ is the believer's Surety. He came, died, arose, and went back to the Father, just to become our Surety. What He accomplished, He accomplished for all who believe in Him. He guarantees that the Victory He gained shall be ours.
In our present study we consider "The Believer's Surety," as set forth in the fact that "Christ Died."
THE FACT
The fact of Christ's death is simply stated at the beginning of our text: "For Christ also hath once suffered . . . " (18). The word translated "suffered" is actually the word "died." Thus it should read: "For Christ also hath once died." "For" and "also" refer back to the preceding verses of chapter three, where we learned of the possible suffering of the child of God -- i.e. suffering for doing righteously. This may seem absurd, that anyone would repay a right living and right acting individual with evil; yet such should be no surprise, living as we do in a world of distorted moral values, where sin has made right things look wrong and wrong things look right.
Our reaction to wrong treatment should be, not to repay with more of the same, but on the contrary repay with "blessing." We also, are told: "be not afraid . . . neither be troubled, but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord . . . and be ready always to give an answer of the hope that is in you . . . having a good conscience." We should remember that, although we suffer wrongfully, we are, in Christ, most "blessed."
Christ Himself is the perfect example of suffering without cause. "FOR Christ ALSO hath once died." His was the supreme suffering; He paid with His life; yet He only did righteously. And God the Father chose for Him this path, as the name "Christ" (anointed One or selected One) indicates. What He did, He did once and for all. "For Christ also hath ONCE died." This doesn't mean that once upon a time Christ died, but that "this Man . . . offered one sacrifice . . . for ever."
THE CAUSE
Why did Christ die? "Christ died . . . for sins." Actually He became a sin-offering. The sin-offering is explained in the Old Testament, Leviticus, chapter 4. The prominent figures are the sinner and the animal for sacrifice. The process involves the sinner presenting the animal as his substitute, laying his hand upon the animal to denote identification with it, and then the priest slaying the animal and pouring its blood before the altar. Thus atonement is made, the sinner forgiven, his guilt covered over.
John the Baptist stood one day long ago and watching Jesus pass, cried out: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taking away the sin of the world." What he meant was: "Behold God's Sin-offering." As God instituted the sin-offering in those early days in the wilderness, so in these last days He has sent His only begotten Son into the world to become the once-for-all Sin-offering for guilty mankind.
God knew those Old Testament sacrifices could only cover sins, not take them away, "for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins -- but in those sacrifices there is a remembrance . . . of sins every year." God knew that "heavenly things" must be purified "with better sacrifices than these." He knew there must be a once-for-all Sin-offering to completely purge man of his sin. He knew only His Son could make such a sacrifice. But the eternal Son must first become a man. So God sent His Son "in the likeness of sinful flesh, and (as an offering) for sin." And so we have it, in our text: "Christ died . . . for sins."
Man is a chronic sinner. He has always been. He stands guilty before God. If he would be forgiven he must recognize this and place the hand of faith upon God's Sin-offering, Christ. Having done this, Christ, the High Priest, applies His blood, which was spilt on Calvary, to the sinner's sins, cleansing them away forever.
THE KIND
But what kind of death was it? When Christ died, it was " . . . the just for the unjust." "A righteous One died on behalf of unrighteous ones." The whole story of Jesus from start to finish, and as expressed by Pilate, was "I find no fault in this man." The Heavenly Father's testimony was: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Of Himself, Jesus said, "I do always those things that please him." Why then did He die, if He was without sin? He died, not indeed for His own sins, but "for the unjust."
The whole story of man from Eden till now has been: "they are all under sin . . . there is none righteous . . . there is none that doeth good . . . for all have sinned." Even the good that man does, turns out to be "as filthy rags" in the sight of God. And that's why Christ died. He who had no sin, died for those who did, "the just for the unjust." The Bible says that the "wages of sin is death." We had the sentence of death upon us. But He, the sinless One, the holy One, volunteered to take our place.
THE PURPOSE
The purpose of Christ's death was "that he might bring us to God." The Greek reads: "in order that you, he might bring to God." This gives the phrase an emphasis that thrills me. "Christ died . . . in order that YOU he might bring to God." Does not this strike a responsive cord in your heart? Here is your Surety. Christ died, it is true. But better still, He died for Y-O-U.
"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom," the moment Christ "yielded up the spirit" that day on the cross. The rent veil was to symbolize our immediate access to the Father. No longer were we separated from God's presence and glory. "For through Him we . . . have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
Adam and Eve enjoyed face to face fellowship with God, but sin came between. No longer could man stand in God's presence. No man could look upon God and live. Job, when in deep sorrow and affliction, expressed well, man's plight: "Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both." But what Job needed, we have. What Adam and Eve needed, we have. Our "Daysman" appeared. And He died "that he might bring us to God." On the basis of His vicarious sacrifice, the shedding of His innocent blood, as God's own Lamb for a once-for-all Sin-offering, Christ leads us unto the Father.
God accepts us on His merits. How presumptuous it is of poor, weak, sinful man to try to reach the Father in some other way. Jesus said, "No man cometh unto the Father but by me." Yet many are at this moment busying themselves trying to find another way. Jesus Christ is God's Sin-offering. There is no other. All who come by Him shall be saved. All who come not by Him shall die in their sins. How terrible will be the day when "the dead, small and great, stand before God," they who have tried to bypass God's Lamb and hear those awful words, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire." They will stand there without the blessed "Daysman" between their sinful selves and the holy God. "This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
Some may wonder why we fundamentalists continually "harp" on this theme of Christ's death. Well, this is it. It means the difference between eternal life and eternal death for every person on the face of the earth. Eternal life means nothing more than dwelling in God's presence forever. Eternal death is just the opposite: dwelling in a state of separation from God forever. Nothing could be more terrible than the latter, or more blessed than the former. And since it is through the death of Christ that we are brought into the Father's presence to dwell forever, then you see how important is this theme. Have you placed your faith in Christ as your Sin-offering, trusting Him to save you from sin and hell and to at last bring you to God? "Behold, NOW is the day of salvation." Tomorrow, or even an hour from now, may be forever too late.
THE EXPLANATION
"Christ died--being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit."
When Peter penned this phrase: "being put to death in the flesh," I can imagine his thoughts went back to those horrible days of Christ's passion. Peter had never forgotten the awful scene. Later he writes that he was "a witness of the sufferings of Christ."
The Jews had cried out for Christ's execution, the Romans carried it out. And thus He, the disciples' Hope, was "put to death in the flesh." He had been cruelly nailed to a cross upon which criminals were executed. The cross was placed upright, and there He hung till the agonizing end, when He yielded up His spirit.
Peter and the other disciples were disappointed that it ended like this. They had high hopes in this Man. They thought Him to be the promised Messiah. They expected He would establish His kingdom, liberating them from Roman rule. They had hoped; but it was all over now. The body of the One they called Master hung lifeless on the cross. He was pronounced dead. Soon they carried the corpse to a hewn-out tomb, where it was tenderly laid away by loving hands. All hopes shattered, sorrowful and bewildered, the disciples, Peter with them, gathered to mourn His passing.
But what was a day of sorrow for Christ's friends, was a day of rejoicing for His enemies. At last they were rid of the pestilent, blasphemous Fellow. Now they could settle back into the old routine of religious life in Jerusalem they enjoyed before He came. They would no longer hear His stinging words against themselves. They had gotten rid of Him once and for all. For He had been "put to death in the flesh."
Pilate was relieved to have it done with. Now he could get back to other pressing matters of state. By this execution he has put down a threatening revolt of the Jews. Everything could now get back to normal. It had been distasteful but profitable for the state. So be it.
But what Peter and company, and His enemies, didn't know was that there was another side to this death. The couldn't see what was transpiring behind the scene. But the disciples were to learn of this other side. Years later, Peter writes of Christ's death: "being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." He referred to Christ's human spirit, not the Holy Spirit." What he actually said was: " . . . but made alive in spirit."
What the disciples and the tormentors couldn't see, that fateful day, was the liberation of Christ's spirit from His natural body. He had voluntarily inhabited this body from His birth to the present hour, in fact He inhabited it so that He could come to this hour, but at best it had been to Him a body of "humiliation." In it, He was limited to space and time. Can we at all comprehend what this meant to the God of the universe? But now that His death was accomplished, His spirit was free, as it had not been since He took upon Himself the form of a servant. Now no more was He bound by space and time. No longer was He a little lower than the angels. His death accomplished, He was immediately ushered into new realms of glory and power. Three days later He would be resurrected in His new, spiritual body (we shall consider Christ's resurrection in our next study).
What does this mean to us? It means just this. What Christ accomplished, He accomplished for us, thus becoming our Surety. Now we can be assured that our death is only a means of entering into a more blessed freedom of spirit. We have wished, hoped, striven for victory and power in this body of our humiliation, but often to no avail. We have desired to experience more of glory, to know more of God, to appreciate spiritual things to a greater degree. But always our poor natural body has kept us tied to earth. But it shall not always be so. When our death is accomplished, our spirit shall shed this earth-bound body of clay, and shall enter upon glory and power and an appreciation of God we never before knew. "Absent from the body . . . present with the Lord."
Christ has become the believer's Surety. He guarantees us victory through His own. "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory . . . ? Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
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