GOD COULD---ARTHUR W. PINK

God could, if He so chose, make the fields to grow crops without the farmer plowing them and sowing the seed, but that is not His way; that is not the method He selects. God could keep us in health and strength without our taking any food at all or wasting time in sleeping if He so chose, but that is not His way.

And God could save every sinner on earth tonight without them believing if He wanted to, but it is not His way!

I am not limiting God, I am describing to you the plan and method that God Himself has set forth in His Word, and if you would be saved, sinner, you have got to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for yourself.

-A.W. Pink, excerpt from Christian Fools.

THE OLD OLD STORY--W.F. BELL

Someone has well said that "what is new in theology is not true, and what is true is not new." In this article we declare nothing new; in fact, we simply declare to all the old and sweet story of how God loved sinners and gave Himself for sinners in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ,

The story of Christ actually begins before time, in the great eternity past. While there is much mystery surrounding this, still we have the plain statements of God's infallible Book: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). We know this refers to the Lord of glory Himself, as verses 3 and 4 clearly show. Then this "Word" became "flesh" and tabernacled among men (John 1:14). So Christ was the eternal Son of the Father (John 1:18), and had been "foreordained before the foundation of the world" (1 Peter 1:20) to be the Lamb of God, the Sacrifice for His people. It was the purpose of God from all eternity to save a people, through the substitutionary work of His Son (John 17:24; Acts 2:23; 4:28; Ephesians 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 1:9). Thus, the story of love has its source in the great heart of God, in His will, and in His purpose for His chosen people.

The Lord of life and glory in time stooped to come to Bethlehem, as had been prophesied (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6). This lowly birth of the Son of God in human form is one of the most blessed, yet mysterious, events of all history. Yes, God was actually born! Here Christ proves how man-like He is! Not even Adam had such a birth, but the last Adam was cradled in a manger. Look, sinner, and behold the King of heaven hanging upon a woman's breast! See how the infinite God has become an infant! The invisible God has become the incarnate Saviour. The holy child Jesus has linked man with God, thus causing all fear to vanish in the heart of man, for now man can take all his griefs to the God-Man, Christ Jesus the Lord (Luke 2:10,11).

Our story continues in the active obedience of our Lord's holy and spotless life. The Lord Jesus was truly "holy, harmless, and undefiled" (Hebrews 7:26) and never sinned even once in thought, word or in deed (1 Peter 2:22). Christ magnified and honored God's holy law in every detail (Isaiah 42:21; John 8:46), thus working out for His people a righteousness that sinners could never attain. Christ was "the Righteous One" (Jeremiah 23:5, 6) by nature, but He also obtained righteousness for us in His sinless life. Then, in His passive obedience, He took the sins of His people upon Himself, and died as the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18). Christ is both our Substitute and Sacrifice, both our Surety and Saviour (Hebrews 7:22).

The God-Man was buried in a borrowed tomb. The disciples of the Master were filled with doubt and fear. But, the King of glory arose from the dead! Death had no power over Him, but He over it (John 10:17,18). The news quickly spread over much of the known world: Jesus is risen! Glory to our Risen Head, for now all the members of His body live in Him!

Where is the Lord Jesus now? He ascended back to His Father, having been accepted in the royal courts of heaven. He wow "ever lives" to intercede for His own (Hebrews 9:24). He made one sacrifice for sins forever, and is now seated at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12).

Some day the Lord of lords and King of kings will come again. The world awaits His coming. The church longs for His coming. He is faithful that promised; He is coming (Revelation 22:7). Surely, all believers also say, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).

Men must know who the Lord Jesus is and what He has done in order for them to be saved. We have briefly told you this story. Now the Holy Spirit must show you that you are one for whom Christ came and died. No man can save you, except the Man Christ Jesus. He alone is the Mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5). Come, sinner, to Him and Him alone, for He is your Hope and Help, your Deliverer and Defender, your Priest and Prince, your Sovereign and Saviour. In repentance and faith, bow before the Lordship of Christ, or one day you certainly will bow before Him as your Judge (Philippians 2:9-ll).

— W.F. Bell

DEFINITE ATONEMENT--CHARLES SPURGEON

WE are often told that we limit the atonement of Christ because we say that Christ has not made a satisfaction for all men, or all men would be saved. Now, our reply to this is that, on the other hand, our opponents limit it; we do not. The Arminians say Christ died for all men. Ask them what they mean by it. Did Christ die so as to secure the salvation of all men? They say, “No, certainly not.” We ask them the next question—Did Christ die so as to secure the salvation of any man in particular? They answer, “No.” They are obliged to admit this, if they are consistent. They say, “No; Christ has died that any man may be saved if…” and then follow certain conditions of salvation. 

We say, then, we will go back to the old statement—Christ did not die so as beyond a shadow of doubt to secure the salvation of anybody, did He? You must say, “No;” you are obliged to say so, for you believe that even after a man has been pardoned, he may yet fall from grace, and perish.

Now, who is it that limits the death of Christ? Why, you! You say that Christ did not die so as to infallibly secure the salvation of anybody. We beg your pardon, when you say we limit Christ’s death; we say, “No, my dear sir, it is you that do it.” We say Christ so died that He infallibly secured the salvation of a multitude that no man can number, who through Christ’s death not only may be saved but are saved, must be saved, and cannot by any possibility run the hazard of being anything but saved. You are welcome to your atonement; you may keep it. We will never renounce ours for the sake of it.