Conversion, Or The New Birth

Conversion, Or The New BirthIllustration.Christ And Nicodemus. "Ye must be born again." John 3:7.1. How did Jesus emphasize the necessity of conversion?“Verily I say unto you,Except ye be converted, and become as little children,ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”Matt. 18:3.2. In what other statement did He teach the same truth?“Verily, verily, I say unto thee,Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”John 3:3.3. How did he further explain the new birth?“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”Verse 5.4. With what comparison did He illustrate the subject?“The windbloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”Verse 8.5. What change is wrought in conversion, or the new birth?“Even when we were dead in sins, hathquickenedus together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).”Eph. 2:5.6. What is one evidence of this change from death to life?“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because[pg 097]we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”1 John 3:14.7. From what is a converted sinner saved?“Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul fromdeath, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”James 5:20. See Acts 26:14-18.8. To whom are sinners brought by conversion?“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.... Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall beconverted unto Thee.”Ps. 51:10-13.9. In what words to Peter did Jesus indicate the kind of service a converted person should render to his brethren?“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: andwhen thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”Luke 22:31, 32.10. What other experience is associated with conversion?“For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should beconverted, and I shouldheal them.”Matt. 13:15.11. What gracious promise does God make to His people?“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him.”Hosea 14:4.12. By what means is this healing accomplished?“He [Christ] was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; andwith His stripes we are healed.”Isa. 53:5.13. What takes place when one is converted to Christ?“Wherefore if any man is in Christ,he is a new creation: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.”2 Cor. 5:17, R. V., margin. See Acts 9:1-22; 22:1-21; 26:1-23.14. What is the value of merely outward forms?“For in Christ Jesusneither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”Gal. 6:15.15. Through what was the original creation wrought?[pg 098]“By the word of the Lordwere the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.”Ps. 33:6.16. Through what instrumentality is conversion wrought?“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”1 Peter 1:23.17. What change is wrought by beholding Jesus?“But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, arechanged into the same imagefrom glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”2 Cor. 3:18.Note.—A beautiful statue once stood in the market-place of an Italian city. It was the statue of a Greek slave girl. It represented the slave as tidy and well dressed. A ragged, uncombed little street child, coming across the statue in her play one day, stopped and gazed at it in admiration. She was captivated by it. She gazed long and lovingly. Moved by a sudden impulse, she went home and washed her face and combed her hair. Another day she stopped again before the statue and admired it, and got a new idea. Next day her tattered clothes were washed and mended. Each time she looked at the statue she found something in its beauties to admire and copy, until she was a transformed child. By beholding we become changed.18. What are the evidences that one has been born of God?“If ye know that He is righteous, ye know thatevery one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.”“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; andevery one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”1 John 2:29; 4:7.19. What is true of every one who believes in Jesus?“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ isborn of God.”1 John 5:1.20. What do those born of God not do?“We know thatwhosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”Verse 18.21. What indwelling power keeps such from sinning?“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; forHis seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”1 John 3:9. See 1 John 5:4; Gen. 39:9.22. What will be the experience of those born of the Spirit?“There is therefore nowno condemnationto them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”Rom. 8:1.[pg 099]Illustration.The Conversion Of Saul. "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Acts 9:5.[pg 100]BaptismIllustration.Baptism Of Christ. "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Matt. 3:15.1. What ordinance is closely associated with believing the gospel?“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and isbaptizedshall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”Mark 16:15, 16.2. What did the apostle Peter associate with baptism in his instruction on the day of Pentecost?“Then Peter said unto them,Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”Acts 2:38.3. In reply to his inquiry concerning salvation, what was the Philippian jailer told to do?“And they said,Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”Acts 16:31.4. What followed immediately after the jailer and his family had accepted Christ as their Saviour?[pg 101]“And he took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and wasbaptized, he and all his, straightway.”Verse 33.5. In connection with Christian baptism, what is washed away?“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, andwash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”Acts 22:16. See Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21.6. By what means are sins washed away?“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sinsin His own blood.”Rev. 1:5.7. Into whose name are believers to be baptized?“Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of theFatherand of theSonand of theHoly Ghost.”Matt. 28:19, R. V.8. When believers are baptized into Christ, whom do they put on?“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ haveput on Christ.”Gal. 3:27.9. Into what experience are those baptized who are baptized into Christ?“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ werebaptized into His death?”Rom. 6:3.Note.—Baptism is a gospel ordinance commemorating thedeath,burial, andresurrectionof Christ. In baptism public testimony is given to the effect that the one baptized has been crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and is raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Only one mode of baptism can rightly represent these facts of experience, and that is immersion,—the mode followed by Christ and the primitive church.10. How is such a baptism described?“Therefore we areburied with himby baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”Verse 4.11. How fully are we thus united with Christ in His experience of death and resurrection?“For if we have beenplanted togetherin the likeness of Hisdeath, we shall be also in the likeness of Hisresurrection.”Verse 5.[pg 102]12. What will follow this union with Christ in His death and resurrection?“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall alsolive with Him.”Verse 8.13. In what working of God is faith to be exercised in connection with baptism?“Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Himthrough the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.”Col. 2:12.14. At the beginning of His ministry, what example did Jesus set for the benefit of His followers?“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to bebaptizedof him.”Matt. 3:13.15. What remarkable experience attended the baptism of Jesus?“And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He sawthe Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying,This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”Verses 16, 17.16. What promise is made to those who repent and are baptized?“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, andye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”Acts 2:38.17. What question did the eunuch ask after Philip had preached Jesus unto him?“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water;what doth hinder me to be baptized?”Acts 8:36.18. In order to baptize the eunuch, where did Philip take him?“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: andthey went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”Verse 38.19. How did the people of Samaria publicly testify to their faith in the preaching of Philip?“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning[pg 103]the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ,they were baptized, both men and women.”Verse 12.20. What instruction did the apostle Peter give concerning the Gentiles who had believed?“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”Acts 10:47, 48.21. How perfect is the unity into which believers are brought by being baptized into Christ?“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we allbaptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been allmade to drink into one Spirit.”1 Cor. 12:12, 13.22. After being united with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection, what should the believer do?“If ye then be risen with Christ,seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”Col. 3:1.Lord, in humble, sweet submission,Here we meet to follow Thee,Trusting in Thy great salvation,Which alone can make us free.Naught have we to claim as merit;All the duties we can doCan no crown of life inherit;All the praise to Thee is due.Yet we come in Christian duty,Down beneath the wave to go;O the bliss! the heavenly beauty!Christ the Lord was buried so.Robert T. Daniel[pg 104]Reconciled To GodIllustration.Jonah Preaching To The Ninevites. "Be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.1. What message of entreaty has God sent to us through his appointed messengers?“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead,be ye reconciled to God.”2 Cor. 5:20.2. Through whom is this reconciliation made?“All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himselfby Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”Verse 18.3. What was required in order to effect this reconciliation?“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God bythe death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”Rom. 5:10.4. What basis for reconciliation was made by Christ's death?“Having madepeacethrough the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself.”Col. 1:20.5. Through whom is the reconciliation received?“We also joy in Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement [reconciliation, margin].”Rom. 5:11.[pg 105]6. By what union does Christ reconcile both Jew and Gentile to God through the cross?“And that He might reconcile both unto Godin one bodyby the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”Eph. 2:16.7. In what prophecy was the work of reconciliation foretold?“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, andto make reconciliation for iniquity.”Dan. 9:24.8. In thus reconciling the world unto Himself, what attitude did God take toward men?“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself,not imputing their trespasses unto them.”2 Cor. 5:19.9. What rendered it possible for God to treat sinners thus?“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; andthe Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”Isa. 53:6.10. What was Christ made, to release men from sin?“For He hath made Him to besinfor us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”2 Cor. 5:21.11. How was He treated?“But He waswoundedfor our transgressions, He wasbruisedfor our iniquities: thechastisementof our peace was upon Him; and with Hisstripeswe are healed.”Isa. 53:5.12. What did John declare concerning Him?“Behold the Lamb of God,which taketh away[beareth, margin]the sin of the world.”John 1:29.13. To what place did Christ carry these sins?“Who His own self bare our sins in His own bodyon the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”1 Peter 2:24.14. What is the great purpose of Christ in His work of reconciliation?“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death,to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight.”Col. 1:21, 22.[pg 106]Acceptance With GodIllustration.Noah's Sacrifice. "He hath made us accepted in the Beloved." Eph. 1:6.1. In whom has God made us accepted?“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings ... in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him ... to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made usaccepted in the Beloved.”Eph. 1:3-6.2. What great gift comes with our acceptance of Christ?“And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may haveeverlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”John 6:40. See also John 17:2.3. What is the first and primary evidence of our acceptance with God?“If we receive the witness of men, thewitness of God is greater: for this is the witness of Godwhich He hath testified of His Son.... And this is the record,that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”1 John 5:9-11.Note.—The primary basis of all faith and acceptance is the word of God,—that which God Himself hassaid. To receive and believe this is the first essential to salvation,—the first evidence of acceptance.[pg 107]4. Why did John write his testimony concerning God's love and purpose in giving Christ?“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”Verse 13.“These are written,that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.”John 20:31.5. What witness does the true believer in Christ have that he is accepted of God?“He that believeth on the Son of Godhath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not therecordthat God gave of His Son.”1 John 5:10.Note.—Faith and feeling should not be confounded. Faith is ours to exercise in the Word of God, regardless of our feelings, and often in opposition even to our feelings. Many fail to accept the pardon and assurance of the acceptance of Heaven, because they do not take God at His word, but instead turn their attention to their changeable moods and feelings.Faithalways precedes thejoyful feelingswhich naturally result from the assurance of forgiveness and acceptance. This order is never reversed.6. How only do any become children of God?“Ye are all the children of Godby faith in Christ Jesus.”Gal. 3:26.7. What is the foundation of faith?“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearingby the word of God.”Rom. 10:17.8. What assurance has the believer of his union with God?“Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us,because He hath given us of His Spirit.”1 John 4:13.9. What three definite witnesses of acceptance are mentioned by John?“There are three that bear witness in earth, theSpirit, and thewater, and theblood: and these three agree in one.”1 John 5:8.10. How does the Spirit witness to our acceptance with God?“Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying,Abba, Father.”Gal. 4:6.“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”Rom. 8:16.[pg 108]Illustration.The Prodigal's Return. "This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." Luke 15:24.[pg 109]11. Of what is Christian baptism an evidence?“As many of you as have been baptized into Christ haveput on Christ.”Gal. 3:27.Note.—In baptism, the water and the Spirit both bear witness of God's acceptance. The same Spirit which, at Christ's baptism, said,“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,”witnesses to the acceptance of every sincere believer at his baptism.12. To what does the blood of Christ witness?“These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.... If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Soncleanseth us from all sin.”1 John 1:4-7.“In whom we have redemption through His blood,the forgiveness of sins.”Eph. 1:7. See also Rev. 1:5, 6.13. When may we find acceptance with God through Christ?“I have heard theein a time accepted, andin the day of salvationhave I succored thee: behold,now is the accepted time; behold,now is the day of salvation.”2 Cor. 6:2.14. To whom, therefore, should we ascribe glory and honor?“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”Rev. 1:5, 6.15. What is another evidence of divine acceptance?“We know that we have passed from death unto life,because we love the brethren.”1 John 3:14.16. What blessed assurance is given all believers in Christ?“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”Phil. 4:7.Arise, my soul, arise,Shake off thy guilty fears;The bleeding SacrificeIn my behalf appears;Before the throne my Saviour stands,My name is written on His hands.Five bleeding wounds He bears,Received on Calvary;They pour effectual prayers,They strongly speak for me.Forgive him, O, forgive! they cry,Nor let the contrite sinner die!Charles Wesley.[pg 110]Justification By FaithIllustration.The Penitent Thief. "Thou shalt be with Me in paradise." Luke 23:43.1. What is the ground of justification on God's part?“That being justifiedby His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”Titus 3:7.2. What is the means through which this justifying grace is made available to the sinner?“Much more then, being now justifiedby His[Christ's]blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”Rom. 5:9.3. How is justification laid hold upon?“Therefore we conclude that a man is justifiedby faithwithout the deeds of the law.”Rom. 3:28.4. What is the only way sinners may be justified, or made righteous?“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, butby the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”Gal. 2:16.5. What concrete example makes clear the meaning of this doctrine?“And He brought him [Abraham] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to[pg 111]number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. Andhe believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.”Gen. 15:5, 6.6. How is the righteousness thus obtained described?“And be found in Him, not having thine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,the righteousness which is of God by faith.”Phil. 3:9.7. Upon what basis is justification granted?“And not as it was by one that sinned, so is thegift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, butthe free giftis of many offenses unto justification.”Rom. 5:16.8. Upon what basis does the reward come to one who works?“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but ofdebt.”Rom. 4:4.9. Upon what condition is faith reckoned for righteousness?“But to him that worketh not, butbelieveth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”Verse 5.10. How does grace, as the ground of justification, exclude righteousness by works?“Andif by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”Rom. 11:6.11. In what way are both Jews and Gentiles to be justified?“Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcisionby faith, and uncircumcisionthrough faith.”Rom. 3:29, 30.12. What statement testifies to Abraham's faith in God?“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; andbeing fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.”Rom. 4:20, 21.13. What did this bring to him?“And thereforeit was imputed to him for righteousness.”Verse 22.14. How may we receive this same imputed righteousness?“Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed,[pg 112]if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.”Verses 23, 24.15. Why must justifying faith lay hold upon both the death and the resurrection of Christ?“Who wasdelivered for our offenses, andwas raised again for our justification.”Verse 25. See 1 Cor. 15:17.Note.—The resurrection of Christ, the promised Seed (Gal. 3:16), was necessary in order to fulfil to Abraham the promise of an innumerable seed; and therefore Abraham's faith in the promise of God, which included the resurrection, was reckoned to him for righteousness. His faith laid hold upon that which made imputed righteousness possible. See Heb. 11:17-19.16. What is inseparable from the experience of justification by faith?“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto youthe forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe arejustified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”Acts 13:38, 39.17. How has Christ made it possible for righteousness to be imputed to the believer?“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, soby the obedience of oneshall many be made righteous.”Rom. 5:19.18. What prophetic declaration foretold this truth?“In the Lordshall all the seed of Israel bejustified, and shall glory.”Isa. 45:25.19. What other prediction asserts the same great truth?“By His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.”Isa. 5:11.20. What does the imputed righteousness of Christ enable God to do, and still be just?“To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness:that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”Rom. 3:26.21. By what name is Christ appropriately called?“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely[pg 113]and this is His name whereby He shall be called,The Lord Our Righteousness.”Jer. 23:5, 6.22. What blessed experience follows upon the acceptance of Christ as our righteousness?“Therefore being justified by faith,we have peace with Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ.”Rom. 5:1.23. What does Christ thus become to the believer?“ForHe is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.”Eph. 2:14.24. On what basis is there no possibility of justification for the sinner?“Thereforeby the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:20.25. How does the death of Christ bear testimony to this?“I do not frustrate the grace of God: forif righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”Gal. 2:21.26. What is proved by any attempt to be justified by the law?“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law;ye are fallen from grace.”Gal. 5:4.27. Why did Israel fail to attain unto righteousness?“But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore?Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone.”Rom. 9:31, 32.28. What is revealed by the law?“By the law isthe knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:2029. What bears witness to the genuineness of the righteousness obtained by faith, apart from the deeds of the law?“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,being witnessed by the law and the prophets.”Verse 21.30. Does faith set aside the law of God?“Do we then make void the law through faith?God forbid: yea, weestablishthe law.”Verse 31.[pg 114]31. What scripture shows that the righteousness which is received by grace through faith must not be made an excuse for continuing in sin?“What shall we say then?Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”Rom. 6:1, 2.32. Does faith exclude works?“But wilt thou know, O vain man, thatfaith without works is dead?”James 2:20.33. What is the evidence of genuine, living faith?“Show me thy faith without thy works, andI will show thee my faith by my works.”Verse 18.34. What, then, are the visible proofs of genuine justification by faith?“Ye see then how that byworksa man is justified, and not by faith only.”Verse 24. See also verse 22.35. What great exchange has been wrought for us in Christ?“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”2 Cor. 5:21.Note.—Said Luther:“Learn to know Christ and Him crucified. Learn to sing a new song—to despair of your own works, and to cry unto Him, Lord Jesus, Thou art my righteousness, and I am Thy sin. Thou hast taken upon Thee what was mine, and given to me what was Thine; what Thou wast not Thou becamest, that I might become what I was not.”—D'Aubigne's“History of the Reformation,”book 2, chap. 8.Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;Father, impute His life unto me.My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,Cover with His life, whiter than snow.Deep are the wounds transgression has made:Red are the stains; my soul is afraid.O to be covered, Jesus, with Thee,Safe from the law that now judgeth me!Longing the joy of pardon to know;Jesus holds out a robe white as snow:“Lord, I accept it! leaving my own,Gladly I wear Thy pure life alone.”Reconciled by His death for my sin,Justified by His life pure and clean,Sanctified by obeying His word,Glorified when returneth my Lord.F. E. Belden.[pg 115]

Illustration.Christ And Nicodemus. "Ye must be born again." John 3:7.

Christ And Nicodemus. "Ye must be born again." John 3:7.

1. How did Jesus emphasize the necessity of conversion?

“Verily I say unto you,Except ye be converted, and become as little children,ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”Matt. 18:3.

2. In what other statement did He teach the same truth?

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee,Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”John 3:3.

3. How did he further explain the new birth?

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”Verse 5.

4. With what comparison did He illustrate the subject?

“The windbloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”Verse 8.

5. What change is wrought in conversion, or the new birth?

“Even when we were dead in sins, hathquickenedus together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).”Eph. 2:5.

6. What is one evidence of this change from death to life?

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because[pg 097]we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”1 John 3:14.

7. From what is a converted sinner saved?

“Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul fromdeath, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”James 5:20. See Acts 26:14-18.

8. To whom are sinners brought by conversion?

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.... Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall beconverted unto Thee.”Ps. 51:10-13.

9. In what words to Peter did Jesus indicate the kind of service a converted person should render to his brethren?

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: andwhen thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”Luke 22:31, 32.

10. What other experience is associated with conversion?

“For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should beconverted, and I shouldheal them.”Matt. 13:15.

11. What gracious promise does God make to His people?

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him.”Hosea 14:4.

12. By what means is this healing accomplished?

“He [Christ] was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; andwith His stripes we are healed.”Isa. 53:5.

13. What takes place when one is converted to Christ?

“Wherefore if any man is in Christ,he is a new creation: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.”2 Cor. 5:17, R. V., margin. See Acts 9:1-22; 22:1-21; 26:1-23.

14. What is the value of merely outward forms?

“For in Christ Jesusneither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”Gal. 6:15.

15. Through what was the original creation wrought?

“By the word of the Lordwere the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.”Ps. 33:6.

16. Through what instrumentality is conversion wrought?

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”1 Peter 1:23.

17. What change is wrought by beholding Jesus?

“But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, arechanged into the same imagefrom glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”2 Cor. 3:18.

Note.—A beautiful statue once stood in the market-place of an Italian city. It was the statue of a Greek slave girl. It represented the slave as tidy and well dressed. A ragged, uncombed little street child, coming across the statue in her play one day, stopped and gazed at it in admiration. She was captivated by it. She gazed long and lovingly. Moved by a sudden impulse, she went home and washed her face and combed her hair. Another day she stopped again before the statue and admired it, and got a new idea. Next day her tattered clothes were washed and mended. Each time she looked at the statue she found something in its beauties to admire and copy, until she was a transformed child. By beholding we become changed.

18. What are the evidences that one has been born of God?

“If ye know that He is righteous, ye know thatevery one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.”“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; andevery one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”1 John 2:29; 4:7.

19. What is true of every one who believes in Jesus?

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ isborn of God.”1 John 5:1.

20. What do those born of God not do?

“We know thatwhosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”Verse 18.

21. What indwelling power keeps such from sinning?

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; forHis seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”1 John 3:9. See 1 John 5:4; Gen. 39:9.

22. What will be the experience of those born of the Spirit?

“There is therefore nowno condemnationto them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”Rom. 8:1.

Illustration.The Conversion Of Saul. "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Acts 9:5.

The Conversion Of Saul. "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Acts 9:5.

BaptismIllustration.Baptism Of Christ. "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Matt. 3:15.1. What ordinance is closely associated with believing the gospel?“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and isbaptizedshall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”Mark 16:15, 16.2. What did the apostle Peter associate with baptism in his instruction on the day of Pentecost?“Then Peter said unto them,Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”Acts 2:38.3. In reply to his inquiry concerning salvation, what was the Philippian jailer told to do?“And they said,Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”Acts 16:31.4. What followed immediately after the jailer and his family had accepted Christ as their Saviour?[pg 101]“And he took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and wasbaptized, he and all his, straightway.”Verse 33.5. In connection with Christian baptism, what is washed away?“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, andwash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”Acts 22:16. See Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21.6. By what means are sins washed away?“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sinsin His own blood.”Rev. 1:5.7. Into whose name are believers to be baptized?“Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of theFatherand of theSonand of theHoly Ghost.”Matt. 28:19, R. V.8. When believers are baptized into Christ, whom do they put on?“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ haveput on Christ.”Gal. 3:27.9. Into what experience are those baptized who are baptized into Christ?“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ werebaptized into His death?”Rom. 6:3.Note.—Baptism is a gospel ordinance commemorating thedeath,burial, andresurrectionof Christ. In baptism public testimony is given to the effect that the one baptized has been crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and is raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Only one mode of baptism can rightly represent these facts of experience, and that is immersion,—the mode followed by Christ and the primitive church.10. How is such a baptism described?“Therefore we areburied with himby baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”Verse 4.11. How fully are we thus united with Christ in His experience of death and resurrection?“For if we have beenplanted togetherin the likeness of Hisdeath, we shall be also in the likeness of Hisresurrection.”Verse 5.[pg 102]12. What will follow this union with Christ in His death and resurrection?“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall alsolive with Him.”Verse 8.13. In what working of God is faith to be exercised in connection with baptism?“Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Himthrough the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.”Col. 2:12.14. At the beginning of His ministry, what example did Jesus set for the benefit of His followers?“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to bebaptizedof him.”Matt. 3:13.15. What remarkable experience attended the baptism of Jesus?“And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He sawthe Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying,This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”Verses 16, 17.16. What promise is made to those who repent and are baptized?“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, andye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”Acts 2:38.17. What question did the eunuch ask after Philip had preached Jesus unto him?“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water;what doth hinder me to be baptized?”Acts 8:36.18. In order to baptize the eunuch, where did Philip take him?“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: andthey went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”Verse 38.19. How did the people of Samaria publicly testify to their faith in the preaching of Philip?“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning[pg 103]the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ,they were baptized, both men and women.”Verse 12.20. What instruction did the apostle Peter give concerning the Gentiles who had believed?“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”Acts 10:47, 48.21. How perfect is the unity into which believers are brought by being baptized into Christ?“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we allbaptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been allmade to drink into one Spirit.”1 Cor. 12:12, 13.22. After being united with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection, what should the believer do?“If ye then be risen with Christ,seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”Col. 3:1.Lord, in humble, sweet submission,Here we meet to follow Thee,Trusting in Thy great salvation,Which alone can make us free.Naught have we to claim as merit;All the duties we can doCan no crown of life inherit;All the praise to Thee is due.Yet we come in Christian duty,Down beneath the wave to go;O the bliss! the heavenly beauty!Christ the Lord was buried so.Robert T. Daniel

Illustration.Baptism Of Christ. "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Matt. 3:15.

Baptism Of Christ. "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Matt. 3:15.

1. What ordinance is closely associated with believing the gospel?

“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and isbaptizedshall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”Mark 16:15, 16.

2. What did the apostle Peter associate with baptism in his instruction on the day of Pentecost?

“Then Peter said unto them,Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”Acts 2:38.

3. In reply to his inquiry concerning salvation, what was the Philippian jailer told to do?

“And they said,Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”Acts 16:31.

4. What followed immediately after the jailer and his family had accepted Christ as their Saviour?

“And he took them [Paul and Silas] the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and wasbaptized, he and all his, straightway.”Verse 33.

5. In connection with Christian baptism, what is washed away?

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, andwash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”Acts 22:16. See Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21.

6. By what means are sins washed away?

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sinsin His own blood.”Rev. 1:5.

7. Into whose name are believers to be baptized?

“Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of theFatherand of theSonand of theHoly Ghost.”Matt. 28:19, R. V.

8. When believers are baptized into Christ, whom do they put on?

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ haveput on Christ.”Gal. 3:27.

9. Into what experience are those baptized who are baptized into Christ?

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ werebaptized into His death?”Rom. 6:3.

Note.—Baptism is a gospel ordinance commemorating thedeath,burial, andresurrectionof Christ. In baptism public testimony is given to the effect that the one baptized has been crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and is raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Only one mode of baptism can rightly represent these facts of experience, and that is immersion,—the mode followed by Christ and the primitive church.

10. How is such a baptism described?

“Therefore we areburied with himby baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”Verse 4.

11. How fully are we thus united with Christ in His experience of death and resurrection?

“For if we have beenplanted togetherin the likeness of Hisdeath, we shall be also in the likeness of Hisresurrection.”Verse 5.

12. What will follow this union with Christ in His death and resurrection?

“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall alsolive with Him.”Verse 8.

13. In what working of God is faith to be exercised in connection with baptism?

“Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Himthrough the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.”Col. 2:12.

14. At the beginning of His ministry, what example did Jesus set for the benefit of His followers?

“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to bebaptizedof him.”Matt. 3:13.

15. What remarkable experience attended the baptism of Jesus?

“And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He sawthe Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying,This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”Verses 16, 17.

16. What promise is made to those who repent and are baptized?

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, andye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”Acts 2:38.

17. What question did the eunuch ask after Philip had preached Jesus unto him?

“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water;what doth hinder me to be baptized?”Acts 8:36.

18. In order to baptize the eunuch, where did Philip take him?

“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: andthey went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”Verse 38.

19. How did the people of Samaria publicly testify to their faith in the preaching of Philip?

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning[pg 103]the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ,they were baptized, both men and women.”Verse 12.

20. What instruction did the apostle Peter give concerning the Gentiles who had believed?

“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”Acts 10:47, 48.

21. How perfect is the unity into which believers are brought by being baptized into Christ?

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we allbaptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been allmade to drink into one Spirit.”1 Cor. 12:12, 13.

22. After being united with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection, what should the believer do?

“If ye then be risen with Christ,seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”Col. 3:1.

Lord, in humble, sweet submission,Here we meet to follow Thee,Trusting in Thy great salvation,Which alone can make us free.Naught have we to claim as merit;All the duties we can doCan no crown of life inherit;All the praise to Thee is due.Yet we come in Christian duty,Down beneath the wave to go;O the bliss! the heavenly beauty!Christ the Lord was buried so.Robert T. Daniel

Lord, in humble, sweet submission,Here we meet to follow Thee,Trusting in Thy great salvation,Which alone can make us free.

Lord, in humble, sweet submission,

Here we meet to follow Thee,

Trusting in Thy great salvation,

Which alone can make us free.

Naught have we to claim as merit;All the duties we can doCan no crown of life inherit;All the praise to Thee is due.

Naught have we to claim as merit;

All the duties we can do

Can no crown of life inherit;

All the praise to Thee is due.

Yet we come in Christian duty,Down beneath the wave to go;O the bliss! the heavenly beauty!Christ the Lord was buried so.Robert T. Daniel

Yet we come in Christian duty,

Down beneath the wave to go;

O the bliss! the heavenly beauty!

Christ the Lord was buried so.

Robert T. Daniel

Reconciled To GodIllustration.Jonah Preaching To The Ninevites. "Be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.1. What message of entreaty has God sent to us through his appointed messengers?“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead,be ye reconciled to God.”2 Cor. 5:20.2. Through whom is this reconciliation made?“All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himselfby Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”Verse 18.3. What was required in order to effect this reconciliation?“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God bythe death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”Rom. 5:10.4. What basis for reconciliation was made by Christ's death?“Having madepeacethrough the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself.”Col. 1:20.5. Through whom is the reconciliation received?“We also joy in Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement [reconciliation, margin].”Rom. 5:11.[pg 105]6. By what union does Christ reconcile both Jew and Gentile to God through the cross?“And that He might reconcile both unto Godin one bodyby the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”Eph. 2:16.7. In what prophecy was the work of reconciliation foretold?“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, andto make reconciliation for iniquity.”Dan. 9:24.8. In thus reconciling the world unto Himself, what attitude did God take toward men?“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself,not imputing their trespasses unto them.”2 Cor. 5:19.9. What rendered it possible for God to treat sinners thus?“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; andthe Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”Isa. 53:6.10. What was Christ made, to release men from sin?“For He hath made Him to besinfor us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”2 Cor. 5:21.11. How was He treated?“But He waswoundedfor our transgressions, He wasbruisedfor our iniquities: thechastisementof our peace was upon Him; and with Hisstripeswe are healed.”Isa. 53:5.12. What did John declare concerning Him?“Behold the Lamb of God,which taketh away[beareth, margin]the sin of the world.”John 1:29.13. To what place did Christ carry these sins?“Who His own self bare our sins in His own bodyon the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”1 Peter 2:24.14. What is the great purpose of Christ in His work of reconciliation?“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death,to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight.”Col. 1:21, 22.

Illustration.Jonah Preaching To The Ninevites. "Be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.

Jonah Preaching To The Ninevites. "Be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.

1. What message of entreaty has God sent to us through his appointed messengers?

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead,be ye reconciled to God.”2 Cor. 5:20.

2. Through whom is this reconciliation made?

“All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himselfby Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”Verse 18.

3. What was required in order to effect this reconciliation?

“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God bythe death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”Rom. 5:10.

4. What basis for reconciliation was made by Christ's death?

“Having madepeacethrough the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself.”Col. 1:20.

5. Through whom is the reconciliation received?

“We also joy in Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement [reconciliation, margin].”Rom. 5:11.

6. By what union does Christ reconcile both Jew and Gentile to God through the cross?

“And that He might reconcile both unto Godin one bodyby the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”Eph. 2:16.

7. In what prophecy was the work of reconciliation foretold?

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, andto make reconciliation for iniquity.”Dan. 9:24.

8. In thus reconciling the world unto Himself, what attitude did God take toward men?

“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself,not imputing their trespasses unto them.”2 Cor. 5:19.

9. What rendered it possible for God to treat sinners thus?

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; andthe Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”Isa. 53:6.

10. What was Christ made, to release men from sin?

“For He hath made Him to besinfor us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”2 Cor. 5:21.

11. How was He treated?

“But He waswoundedfor our transgressions, He wasbruisedfor our iniquities: thechastisementof our peace was upon Him; and with Hisstripeswe are healed.”Isa. 53:5.

12. What did John declare concerning Him?

“Behold the Lamb of God,which taketh away[beareth, margin]the sin of the world.”John 1:29.

13. To what place did Christ carry these sins?

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own bodyon the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”1 Peter 2:24.

14. What is the great purpose of Christ in His work of reconciliation?

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death,to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight.”Col. 1:21, 22.

Acceptance With GodIllustration.Noah's Sacrifice. "He hath made us accepted in the Beloved." Eph. 1:6.1. In whom has God made us accepted?“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings ... in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him ... to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made usaccepted in the Beloved.”Eph. 1:3-6.2. What great gift comes with our acceptance of Christ?“And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may haveeverlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”John 6:40. See also John 17:2.3. What is the first and primary evidence of our acceptance with God?“If we receive the witness of men, thewitness of God is greater: for this is the witness of Godwhich He hath testified of His Son.... And this is the record,that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”1 John 5:9-11.Note.—The primary basis of all faith and acceptance is the word of God,—that which God Himself hassaid. To receive and believe this is the first essential to salvation,—the first evidence of acceptance.[pg 107]4. Why did John write his testimony concerning God's love and purpose in giving Christ?“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”Verse 13.“These are written,that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.”John 20:31.5. What witness does the true believer in Christ have that he is accepted of God?“He that believeth on the Son of Godhath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not therecordthat God gave of His Son.”1 John 5:10.Note.—Faith and feeling should not be confounded. Faith is ours to exercise in the Word of God, regardless of our feelings, and often in opposition even to our feelings. Many fail to accept the pardon and assurance of the acceptance of Heaven, because they do not take God at His word, but instead turn their attention to their changeable moods and feelings.Faithalways precedes thejoyful feelingswhich naturally result from the assurance of forgiveness and acceptance. This order is never reversed.6. How only do any become children of God?“Ye are all the children of Godby faith in Christ Jesus.”Gal. 3:26.7. What is the foundation of faith?“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearingby the word of God.”Rom. 10:17.8. What assurance has the believer of his union with God?“Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us,because He hath given us of His Spirit.”1 John 4:13.9. What three definite witnesses of acceptance are mentioned by John?“There are three that bear witness in earth, theSpirit, and thewater, and theblood: and these three agree in one.”1 John 5:8.10. How does the Spirit witness to our acceptance with God?“Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying,Abba, Father.”Gal. 4:6.“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”Rom. 8:16.[pg 108]Illustration.The Prodigal's Return. "This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." Luke 15:24.[pg 109]11. Of what is Christian baptism an evidence?“As many of you as have been baptized into Christ haveput on Christ.”Gal. 3:27.Note.—In baptism, the water and the Spirit both bear witness of God's acceptance. The same Spirit which, at Christ's baptism, said,“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,”witnesses to the acceptance of every sincere believer at his baptism.12. To what does the blood of Christ witness?“These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.... If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Soncleanseth us from all sin.”1 John 1:4-7.“In whom we have redemption through His blood,the forgiveness of sins.”Eph. 1:7. See also Rev. 1:5, 6.13. When may we find acceptance with God through Christ?“I have heard theein a time accepted, andin the day of salvationhave I succored thee: behold,now is the accepted time; behold,now is the day of salvation.”2 Cor. 6:2.14. To whom, therefore, should we ascribe glory and honor?“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”Rev. 1:5, 6.15. What is another evidence of divine acceptance?“We know that we have passed from death unto life,because we love the brethren.”1 John 3:14.16. What blessed assurance is given all believers in Christ?“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”Phil. 4:7.Arise, my soul, arise,Shake off thy guilty fears;The bleeding SacrificeIn my behalf appears;Before the throne my Saviour stands,My name is written on His hands.Five bleeding wounds He bears,Received on Calvary;They pour effectual prayers,They strongly speak for me.Forgive him, O, forgive! they cry,Nor let the contrite sinner die!Charles Wesley.

Illustration.Noah's Sacrifice. "He hath made us accepted in the Beloved." Eph. 1:6.

Noah's Sacrifice. "He hath made us accepted in the Beloved." Eph. 1:6.

1. In whom has God made us accepted?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings ... in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him ... to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made usaccepted in the Beloved.”Eph. 1:3-6.

2. What great gift comes with our acceptance of Christ?

“And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may haveeverlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”John 6:40. See also John 17:2.

3. What is the first and primary evidence of our acceptance with God?

“If we receive the witness of men, thewitness of God is greater: for this is the witness of Godwhich He hath testified of His Son.... And this is the record,that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”1 John 5:9-11.

Note.—The primary basis of all faith and acceptance is the word of God,—that which God Himself hassaid. To receive and believe this is the first essential to salvation,—the first evidence of acceptance.

4. Why did John write his testimony concerning God's love and purpose in giving Christ?

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God;that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”Verse 13.“These are written,that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.”John 20:31.

5. What witness does the true believer in Christ have that he is accepted of God?

“He that believeth on the Son of Godhath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not therecordthat God gave of His Son.”1 John 5:10.

Note.—Faith and feeling should not be confounded. Faith is ours to exercise in the Word of God, regardless of our feelings, and often in opposition even to our feelings. Many fail to accept the pardon and assurance of the acceptance of Heaven, because they do not take God at His word, but instead turn their attention to their changeable moods and feelings.Faithalways precedes thejoyful feelingswhich naturally result from the assurance of forgiveness and acceptance. This order is never reversed.

6. How only do any become children of God?

“Ye are all the children of Godby faith in Christ Jesus.”Gal. 3:26.

7. What is the foundation of faith?

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearingby the word of God.”Rom. 10:17.

8. What assurance has the believer of his union with God?

“Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us,because He hath given us of His Spirit.”1 John 4:13.

9. What three definite witnesses of acceptance are mentioned by John?

“There are three that bear witness in earth, theSpirit, and thewater, and theblood: and these three agree in one.”1 John 5:8.

10. How does the Spirit witness to our acceptance with God?

“Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying,Abba, Father.”Gal. 4:6.“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”Rom. 8:16.

Illustration.The Prodigal's Return. "This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." Luke 15:24.

The Prodigal's Return. "This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." Luke 15:24.

11. Of what is Christian baptism an evidence?

“As many of you as have been baptized into Christ haveput on Christ.”Gal. 3:27.

Note.—In baptism, the water and the Spirit both bear witness of God's acceptance. The same Spirit which, at Christ's baptism, said,“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,”witnesses to the acceptance of every sincere believer at his baptism.

12. To what does the blood of Christ witness?

“These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.... If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Soncleanseth us from all sin.”1 John 1:4-7.“In whom we have redemption through His blood,the forgiveness of sins.”Eph. 1:7. See also Rev. 1:5, 6.

13. When may we find acceptance with God through Christ?

“I have heard theein a time accepted, andin the day of salvationhave I succored thee: behold,now is the accepted time; behold,now is the day of salvation.”2 Cor. 6:2.

14. To whom, therefore, should we ascribe glory and honor?

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”Rev. 1:5, 6.

15. What is another evidence of divine acceptance?

“We know that we have passed from death unto life,because we love the brethren.”1 John 3:14.

16. What blessed assurance is given all believers in Christ?

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”Phil. 4:7.

Arise, my soul, arise,Shake off thy guilty fears;The bleeding SacrificeIn my behalf appears;Before the throne my Saviour stands,My name is written on His hands.Five bleeding wounds He bears,Received on Calvary;They pour effectual prayers,They strongly speak for me.Forgive him, O, forgive! they cry,Nor let the contrite sinner die!Charles Wesley.

Arise, my soul, arise,Shake off thy guilty fears;The bleeding SacrificeIn my behalf appears;Before the throne my Saviour stands,My name is written on His hands.

Arise, my soul, arise,

Shake off thy guilty fears;

The bleeding Sacrifice

In my behalf appears;

Before the throne my Saviour stands,

My name is written on His hands.

Five bleeding wounds He bears,Received on Calvary;They pour effectual prayers,They strongly speak for me.Forgive him, O, forgive! they cry,Nor let the contrite sinner die!Charles Wesley.

Five bleeding wounds He bears,

Received on Calvary;

They pour effectual prayers,

They strongly speak for me.

Forgive him, O, forgive! they cry,

Nor let the contrite sinner die!

Charles Wesley.

Justification By FaithIllustration.The Penitent Thief. "Thou shalt be with Me in paradise." Luke 23:43.1. What is the ground of justification on God's part?“That being justifiedby His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”Titus 3:7.2. What is the means through which this justifying grace is made available to the sinner?“Much more then, being now justifiedby His[Christ's]blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”Rom. 5:9.3. How is justification laid hold upon?“Therefore we conclude that a man is justifiedby faithwithout the deeds of the law.”Rom. 3:28.4. What is the only way sinners may be justified, or made righteous?“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, butby the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”Gal. 2:16.5. What concrete example makes clear the meaning of this doctrine?“And He brought him [Abraham] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to[pg 111]number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. Andhe believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.”Gen. 15:5, 6.6. How is the righteousness thus obtained described?“And be found in Him, not having thine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,the righteousness which is of God by faith.”Phil. 3:9.7. Upon what basis is justification granted?“And not as it was by one that sinned, so is thegift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, butthe free giftis of many offenses unto justification.”Rom. 5:16.8. Upon what basis does the reward come to one who works?“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but ofdebt.”Rom. 4:4.9. Upon what condition is faith reckoned for righteousness?“But to him that worketh not, butbelieveth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”Verse 5.10. How does grace, as the ground of justification, exclude righteousness by works?“Andif by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”Rom. 11:6.11. In what way are both Jews and Gentiles to be justified?“Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcisionby faith, and uncircumcisionthrough faith.”Rom. 3:29, 30.12. What statement testifies to Abraham's faith in God?“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; andbeing fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.”Rom. 4:20, 21.13. What did this bring to him?“And thereforeit was imputed to him for righteousness.”Verse 22.14. How may we receive this same imputed righteousness?“Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed,[pg 112]if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.”Verses 23, 24.15. Why must justifying faith lay hold upon both the death and the resurrection of Christ?“Who wasdelivered for our offenses, andwas raised again for our justification.”Verse 25. See 1 Cor. 15:17.Note.—The resurrection of Christ, the promised Seed (Gal. 3:16), was necessary in order to fulfil to Abraham the promise of an innumerable seed; and therefore Abraham's faith in the promise of God, which included the resurrection, was reckoned to him for righteousness. His faith laid hold upon that which made imputed righteousness possible. See Heb. 11:17-19.16. What is inseparable from the experience of justification by faith?“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto youthe forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe arejustified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”Acts 13:38, 39.17. How has Christ made it possible for righteousness to be imputed to the believer?“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, soby the obedience of oneshall many be made righteous.”Rom. 5:19.18. What prophetic declaration foretold this truth?“In the Lordshall all the seed of Israel bejustified, and shall glory.”Isa. 45:25.19. What other prediction asserts the same great truth?“By His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.”Isa. 5:11.20. What does the imputed righteousness of Christ enable God to do, and still be just?“To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness:that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”Rom. 3:26.21. By what name is Christ appropriately called?“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely[pg 113]and this is His name whereby He shall be called,The Lord Our Righteousness.”Jer. 23:5, 6.22. What blessed experience follows upon the acceptance of Christ as our righteousness?“Therefore being justified by faith,we have peace with Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ.”Rom. 5:1.23. What does Christ thus become to the believer?“ForHe is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.”Eph. 2:14.24. On what basis is there no possibility of justification for the sinner?“Thereforeby the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:20.25. How does the death of Christ bear testimony to this?“I do not frustrate the grace of God: forif righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”Gal. 2:21.26. What is proved by any attempt to be justified by the law?“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law;ye are fallen from grace.”Gal. 5:4.27. Why did Israel fail to attain unto righteousness?“But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore?Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone.”Rom. 9:31, 32.28. What is revealed by the law?“By the law isthe knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:2029. What bears witness to the genuineness of the righteousness obtained by faith, apart from the deeds of the law?“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,being witnessed by the law and the prophets.”Verse 21.30. Does faith set aside the law of God?“Do we then make void the law through faith?God forbid: yea, weestablishthe law.”Verse 31.[pg 114]31. What scripture shows that the righteousness which is received by grace through faith must not be made an excuse for continuing in sin?“What shall we say then?Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”Rom. 6:1, 2.32. Does faith exclude works?“But wilt thou know, O vain man, thatfaith without works is dead?”James 2:20.33. What is the evidence of genuine, living faith?“Show me thy faith without thy works, andI will show thee my faith by my works.”Verse 18.34. What, then, are the visible proofs of genuine justification by faith?“Ye see then how that byworksa man is justified, and not by faith only.”Verse 24. See also verse 22.35. What great exchange has been wrought for us in Christ?“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”2 Cor. 5:21.Note.—Said Luther:“Learn to know Christ and Him crucified. Learn to sing a new song—to despair of your own works, and to cry unto Him, Lord Jesus, Thou art my righteousness, and I am Thy sin. Thou hast taken upon Thee what was mine, and given to me what was Thine; what Thou wast not Thou becamest, that I might become what I was not.”—D'Aubigne's“History of the Reformation,”book 2, chap. 8.Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;Father, impute His life unto me.My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,Cover with His life, whiter than snow.Deep are the wounds transgression has made:Red are the stains; my soul is afraid.O to be covered, Jesus, with Thee,Safe from the law that now judgeth me!Longing the joy of pardon to know;Jesus holds out a robe white as snow:“Lord, I accept it! leaving my own,Gladly I wear Thy pure life alone.”Reconciled by His death for my sin,Justified by His life pure and clean,Sanctified by obeying His word,Glorified when returneth my Lord.F. E. Belden.

Illustration.The Penitent Thief. "Thou shalt be with Me in paradise." Luke 23:43.

The Penitent Thief. "Thou shalt be with Me in paradise." Luke 23:43.

1. What is the ground of justification on God's part?

“That being justifiedby His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”Titus 3:7.

2. What is the means through which this justifying grace is made available to the sinner?

“Much more then, being now justifiedby His[Christ's]blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”Rom. 5:9.

3. How is justification laid hold upon?

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justifiedby faithwithout the deeds of the law.”Rom. 3:28.

4. What is the only way sinners may be justified, or made righteous?

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, butby the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”Gal. 2:16.

5. What concrete example makes clear the meaning of this doctrine?

“And He brought him [Abraham] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to[pg 111]number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. Andhe believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.”Gen. 15:5, 6.

6. How is the righteousness thus obtained described?

“And be found in Him, not having thine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ,the righteousness which is of God by faith.”Phil. 3:9.

7. Upon what basis is justification granted?

“And not as it was by one that sinned, so is thegift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, butthe free giftis of many offenses unto justification.”Rom. 5:16.

8. Upon what basis does the reward come to one who works?

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but ofdebt.”Rom. 4:4.

9. Upon what condition is faith reckoned for righteousness?

“But to him that worketh not, butbelieveth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”Verse 5.

10. How does grace, as the ground of justification, exclude righteousness by works?

“Andif by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”Rom. 11:6.

11. In what way are both Jews and Gentiles to be justified?

“Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcisionby faith, and uncircumcisionthrough faith.”Rom. 3:29, 30.

12. What statement testifies to Abraham's faith in God?

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; andbeing fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.”Rom. 4:20, 21.

13. What did this bring to him?

“And thereforeit was imputed to him for righteousness.”Verse 22.

14. How may we receive this same imputed righteousness?

“Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed,[pg 112]if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.”Verses 23, 24.

15. Why must justifying faith lay hold upon both the death and the resurrection of Christ?

“Who wasdelivered for our offenses, andwas raised again for our justification.”Verse 25. See 1 Cor. 15:17.

Note.—The resurrection of Christ, the promised Seed (Gal. 3:16), was necessary in order to fulfil to Abraham the promise of an innumerable seed; and therefore Abraham's faith in the promise of God, which included the resurrection, was reckoned to him for righteousness. His faith laid hold upon that which made imputed righteousness possible. See Heb. 11:17-19.

16. What is inseparable from the experience of justification by faith?

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto youthe forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe arejustified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”Acts 13:38, 39.

17. How has Christ made it possible for righteousness to be imputed to the believer?

“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, soby the obedience of oneshall many be made righteous.”Rom. 5:19.

18. What prophetic declaration foretold this truth?

“In the Lordshall all the seed of Israel bejustified, and shall glory.”Isa. 45:25.

19. What other prediction asserts the same great truth?

“By His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.”Isa. 5:11.

20. What does the imputed righteousness of Christ enable God to do, and still be just?

“To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness:that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”Rom. 3:26.

21. By what name is Christ appropriately called?

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely[pg 113]and this is His name whereby He shall be called,The Lord Our Righteousness.”Jer. 23:5, 6.

22. What blessed experience follows upon the acceptance of Christ as our righteousness?

“Therefore being justified by faith,we have peace with Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ.”Rom. 5:1.

23. What does Christ thus become to the believer?

“ForHe is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.”Eph. 2:14.

24. On what basis is there no possibility of justification for the sinner?

“Thereforeby the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:20.

25. How does the death of Christ bear testimony to this?

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: forif righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”Gal. 2:21.

26. What is proved by any attempt to be justified by the law?

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law;ye are fallen from grace.”Gal. 5:4.

27. Why did Israel fail to attain unto righteousness?

“But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore?Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone.”Rom. 9:31, 32.

28. What is revealed by the law?

“By the law isthe knowledge of sin.”Rom. 3:20

29. What bears witness to the genuineness of the righteousness obtained by faith, apart from the deeds of the law?

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,being witnessed by the law and the prophets.”Verse 21.

30. Does faith set aside the law of God?

“Do we then make void the law through faith?God forbid: yea, weestablishthe law.”Verse 31.

31. What scripture shows that the righteousness which is received by grace through faith must not be made an excuse for continuing in sin?

“What shall we say then?Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”Rom. 6:1, 2.

32. Does faith exclude works?

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, thatfaith without works is dead?”James 2:20.

33. What is the evidence of genuine, living faith?

“Show me thy faith without thy works, andI will show thee my faith by my works.”Verse 18.

34. What, then, are the visible proofs of genuine justification by faith?

“Ye see then how that byworksa man is justified, and not by faith only.”Verse 24. See also verse 22.

35. What great exchange has been wrought for us in Christ?

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”2 Cor. 5:21.

Note.—Said Luther:“Learn to know Christ and Him crucified. Learn to sing a new song—to despair of your own works, and to cry unto Him, Lord Jesus, Thou art my righteousness, and I am Thy sin. Thou hast taken upon Thee what was mine, and given to me what was Thine; what Thou wast not Thou becamest, that I might become what I was not.”—D'Aubigne's“History of the Reformation,”book 2, chap. 8.

Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;Father, impute His life unto me.My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,Cover with His life, whiter than snow.Deep are the wounds transgression has made:Red are the stains; my soul is afraid.O to be covered, Jesus, with Thee,Safe from the law that now judgeth me!Longing the joy of pardon to know;Jesus holds out a robe white as snow:“Lord, I accept it! leaving my own,Gladly I wear Thy pure life alone.”Reconciled by His death for my sin,Justified by His life pure and clean,Sanctified by obeying His word,Glorified when returneth my Lord.F. E. Belden.

Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;Father, impute His life unto me.My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,Cover with His life, whiter than snow.

Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;

Father, impute His life unto me.

My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,

Cover with His life, whiter than snow.

Deep are the wounds transgression has made:Red are the stains; my soul is afraid.O to be covered, Jesus, with Thee,Safe from the law that now judgeth me!

Deep are the wounds transgression has made:

Red are the stains; my soul is afraid.

O to be covered, Jesus, with Thee,

Safe from the law that now judgeth me!

Longing the joy of pardon to know;Jesus holds out a robe white as snow:“Lord, I accept it! leaving my own,Gladly I wear Thy pure life alone.”

Longing the joy of pardon to know;

Jesus holds out a robe white as snow:

“Lord, I accept it! leaving my own,

Gladly I wear Thy pure life alone.”

Reconciled by His death for my sin,Justified by His life pure and clean,Sanctified by obeying His word,Glorified when returneth my Lord.F. E. Belden.

Reconciled by His death for my sin,

Justified by His life pure and clean,

Sanctified by obeying His word,

Glorified when returneth my Lord.

F. E. Belden.

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