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| − | ==A Cure for Low Spirits== | + | ==KNOW WHY JESUS CAME AND DIED AS YOUR SUBSTITUTE== |
| − | | + | '''GOD’S SALVATION PLAN''' would end the scourge of death and restore people to life.</p> |
| − | '''A Household Sketch'''<br><br> | + | <p>What was His plan and how could it restore you to God and legally absolve you from the penalty of death for your sins? Substitution was the answer. If someone who is innocent of sin would willingly take the place of one who is guilty and assume full punishment for his or her sins, then the guilty one would be free and could be restored to friendship with God as though no wrong had ever been done. It was love’s idea. In order to provide you a substitute who had no sin of his own, God gave His own Son. Jesus Christ, God’s Son <em>was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He did no sin)<strong> </strong></em>Jesus was born by a miracle conception. The Spirit of God overshadowed a virgin and the seed of divine life was created in her womb. In that way Jesus was not born of human seed that had been infected by sin. Not only His conception, but His life among people had to be sinless, in order to be your substitute. God’s Son must be subjected to the same temptations of sin as any human person is. He had to be exactly like you and resist what human persons had not resisted. He had to prove that God’s original plan could work — that human persons could choose God’s word, and never dishonour His integrity.</p> |
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| + | <p>Jesus had to be tempted by Satan just as Adam and Eve had been. This is why as soon as He was mature, He was led into the wilderness where Satan came to tempt Him exactly as he came to tempt Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Every time Satan tried to bring question on God’s word, Jesus rejected his suggestion and forthrightly asserted what God had said.3 The Bible says that throughout the earthly life of Christ, He was in every respect tested as you are, yet without committing any sin.4 That explains why He was able to be your substitute. Since He had no sin in Him, and committed no sin, He could assume your sins and give His life as a ransom for you.<br/><br/> Being made perfect, Jesus Christ became <em>the author </em>of <em>eternal salvation.5 </em>If your penalty of death was assumed by Him, you would be legally absolved of the penalty. Since no debt can be paid twice, or no crime punished twice, you would he restored as though you had never done wrong. Since Jesus Christ suffered the penalty you deserved, and since He did it on your behalf, you are no longer guilty before God and need never be judged for any sin you have ever committed.</p> |
| − | ''Timothy Shay Arthur'',<br><br>
| + | <p>The judgement you deserved was put on your substitute, in your place, and that judgement can never he imposed on you again. This is the heart of God’s plan in the Bible that we call salvation Now you can understand these Bible verses. I have personalised them for you. <em>Jesus Christ bore your sins in his own body that you, being dead to sins, should live in righteousness. 6 When you were utterly with no way of escape, Christ came and died for you when you had no use for him.7 God showed his great love for you by sending Christ to die for you while you were still a sinner 8 Now God has declared you not guilty Now he will save you from all wrath to come.9 Now you can rejoice in your wonderful new relationship with God </em>— <em>all because of what your Lord Jesus Christ has done in dying for your sins </em>— <em>making you a friend of God.’0 Now, since you have been made right in God’s sight by faith in his promise, you can have real peace with him because of what Jesus has done for you. </em></p> |
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| + | <p>So say this to God.</p> |
| − | From some cause, real or imaginary, I felt low spirited. There was a <em>cloud </em>upon my feelings, and I could not smile as usual, nor speak in a tone of cheerfulness. As a natural result, the light of my countenance being gone, all things around me were in shadow. My husband was serious, and had little to say; the children would look strangely at me when I answered their questions, or spoke to them for any purpose, and my servants moved about in a quiet manner, and when they addressed me, did so in a tone more subdued than usual.<br>
| + | <p>''DEAR LORD,''' I am so thankful to understand why Christ came and died for me, as my substitute.</p> |
| − | This reaction upon my state, only made darker the clouds that veiled my spirits. I was conscious of this, and was conscious that the original cause of my depression was entirely inadequate, in itself, to produce the result which had followed. Under this feeling, I made an effort to rally myself, but in vain; and sank lower from the very struggle to rise above the gloom that overshadowed me.<br>
| + | <p>I understand that the penalty of sin is death and that death passed upon all persons because all have sinned. But because of Your love, You gave Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place.</p> |
| − | When my husband came home at dinner time, I tried to meet him with a smile; but I felt that the light upon my countenance was feeble, and of brief duration. He looked at me earnestly, and, in his kind and gentle way, inquired if I felt no better, affecting to believe that my ailment was one of the <em>body </em>instead of the mind. But I scarcely answered him, and I could see that he felt hurt. How much more wretched did I become at this. Could I have then retired to my chamber, and, alone, give my full heart vent in a passion of tears — I might have obtained relief to my feelings. But, I could not do this.<br>
| + | <p>'''NOW I UNDERSTAND''' that Jesus assumed my guilt and suffered the judgement of my sins. By doing that, He redeemed me and restored me to You, 0 Lord. Now it is as though I had never sinned. I am no longer guilty. My condemnation is gone forever.</p> |
| − | While I sat at the table, forcing a little food into my mouth for appearance sake, my husband said —<br> ''You remember the fine lad who has been for some time in our store?"<br>
| + | <p>No debt can be paid twice and no crime punished twice. My sins have been paid for. There is nothing against me anymore. The judgement I deserved was assumed by Jesus as my substitute.</p> |
| − | I nodded my head, but the question did not awaken in my mind the slightest interest.<br>
| + | <p>'''THANK YOU, LORD,''' for Your plan of salvation. I believe that You bore my sins, in my place.</p> |
| − | "He has not made his appearance for several days; and I learned this morning, on sending to the house of his mother, that he was very ill."<br>
| + | '''AMEN!'''<br/><br/> |
| − | "Ah!" was my <em>indifferent </em>response. Had I spoken what was in my mind, I would have said — "I'm sorry, but I can't help it." I did not, at the moment, feel the smallest interest in the lad.<br>
| + | ''Bible References''<br/> |
| − | "Yes," added my husband, "and the person who called to let me know about it, expressed his fears that Edward would not get up again."<br><br>"What ails him?" I inquired.<br><br>"I did not clearly understand. But he has fever of some kind. You remember his mother very well?"<br><br>"Oh, yes. You know she has worked for me. Edward is her only child, I believe."<br><br>
| + | '''He 4:15; He 5:9; Ro 5:9; 1 Pe 2:22; 1 Pe 2:24; Ro 5:11; Mt 4:1-11; Ro 5:6; Ro.5:l; He 4:15; Ro 5:8'''<br/> |
| − | "Yes. And his loss to her will be almost everything."<br><br>
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| − | "Is he so dangerous?" I inquired, a feeling of interest beginning to stir in my heart.<br><br>
| + | |
| − | "He is not expected to live."<br><br>
| + | |
| − | "Poor woman! How distressed she must be? I wonder what her circumstances are just at this time. She seemed very poor when she worked for me."<br>
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| − | "And she is very poor still, I doubt not. She has herself been sick, and during the time it is more than probable, that Edward's wages were all her income. I am afraid she has suffered, and that she has not, now, the means of procuring for her sick boy things necessary for his comfort. Could you not go around there this afternoon, and see how they are?"<br><br>I shook my head instantly, at this proposition, for <em>sympathy </em>for others was not yet strong enough to expel my <em>selfish despondency </em>of mind.<br>"Then I must step around," replied my husband, "before I go back to the store, although we are very busy today, and I am much needed there. It would not be right to neglect the lad and his mother under present circumstances."<br><br>I felt <em>rebuked </em>at these words; and, with a forced effort, said —<br><br>"I will go."<br><br>''It will be much better for you to see them than for me," returned my husband, "for you can understand their needs better, and minister to them more effectually. If they need any comforts, I would like you to see them supplied."<br><br>It still cost me an effort to get ready; but as I had promised that I would do as my husband wished, the effort had to be made. By the time I was prepared to go out, I felt somewhat better. The exertion I was required to make, tended to disperse slightly the clouds which hung over me, and, as they began gradually to move, my thoughts turned, with an awakening interest, toward the object of my husband's solicitude.<br><br>All was silent within the <em>humble abode </em>to which my errand led me. I knocked lightly, and in a few moments the mother of Edward opened the door. She looked pale and anxious.<br><br>''How is your son, Mrs. Ellis?" I inquired, as I stepped in.<br><br>''He is very bad, ma'am," she replied.<br><br>''Not dangerous, I hope?"<br><br>''The fever has left him, but he is as weak as an infant. All his strength is gone."<br><br>''But proper nourishment will restore him, if the disease is broken."<br><br>''So the doctor says. But I'm afraid it is too late. He seems to be sinking every hour. Will you walk up and see him, ma'am?"<br><br>I followed Mrs. Ellis upstairs, and into the chamber where the sick boy lay. I was not surprised at the fear she had expressed, when I saw Edward's pale, sunken face, and hollow, almost expressionless eyes. He scarcely noticed my entrance.<br><br>''Poor boy!" sighed his mother. "He has had a very sick spell." My liveliest interest was at once awakened.<br><br>''He has been sick indeed!" I replied, as I laid my hand upon his white forehead. I found that his skin was cold and damp. The fever had nearly burned out the vital energies of his system. "Do you give him much nourishment?"<br><br>''He takes a little barley water."<br><br>''Has not the doctor ordered wine?"<br><br>''Yes, ma'am," replied Mr. Ellis, but she spoke with an air of hesitation. "He says a spoonful of good wine, three or four times a day, would be very good for him."<br><br>"And you have not given him any?"<br><br>"No ma'am."<br><br>"We have some very pure wine, which we always keep for sickness. If you will step over to our house, and tell Alice to give you a bottle of it, I will stay with Edward until you return."<br>How brightly glowed that woman's face, as my words fell upon her ears!<br><br>"Oh, ma'am you are very kind!" said she. "But it will be asking too much of you to stay here!"<br><br>"You didn't <em>ask </em>it, Mrs. Ellis," I smilingly replied. "I have <em>offered </em>to stay; so do you go for the wine as quickly as you can, for Edward needs it very much."<br>I was not required to say more. In a few minutes I was alone with the sick boy, who lay almost as still as if death were resting upon his half closed eye-lids. To some extent, in the half hour I remained thus in that hushed chamber, did I realize the condition and feelings of the poor mother whose only son lay <em>gasping at the very door of death</em>, and all my sympathies were, in consequence, awakened.<br>
| + | |
| − | As soon as Mrs. Ellis returned with the wine, about a tea spoonful of it was diluted, and the glass containing it placed to the sick lad's lips. The moment its flavor touched his palate, a thrill seemed to pass through his frame, and he swallowed eagerly.<br><br> "It does him good!" said I, speaking warmly, and from an impulse of pleasure that made my heart glow.<br>
| + | |
| − | We sat, and looked with silent interest upon the boy's face, and we did not look in vain, for something like warmth came upon his wan cheeks, and when I placed my hand again upon his forehead, the coldness and dampness was gone. The wine had quickened his languid pulses. I stayed an hour longer, and then another spoonful of the generous wine was given. Its effect was as marked as at first. I then withdrew from the humble home of the widow and her only child, promising to see them again in the morning.<br>
| + | |
| − | When I regained the street and my thoughts, for a moment, reverted to myself, how did I find all changed. The clouds had been dispersed — the heavy hand raised from my bosom, I walked with a freer step. <em>Sympathy </em>for others, and <em>active efforts </em>to do others good — had expelled the evil spirits from my heart; and now <em>serene peace </em>had there again her quiet habitation. There was <em>light </em>in every part of my dwelling when I re-entered it, and I sang cheerfully, as I prepared, with my own hands, a basket of provisions for the poor widow.<br>
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| − | When my husband returned in the evening, he found me at work, <em>cheerfully</em>, in my family, and all bright and smiling again. The effort to do good to others — had driven away the darkness from my spirit, and the sunshine was again upon my countenance, and reflected from every member of my household.
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| | <font size="4" color="#000027">'''Beyond Today -- Is God a Trinity?'''</font><br> | | <font size="4" color="#000027">'''Beyond Today -- Is God a Trinity?'''</font><br> |
