GOD cannot part with His justice even to gratify His love; and His justice shines equally with His grace in the present and eternal salvation of our soul. He gave His son for a Substitute, He appointed Him to our Surety, and punished Him in our stead. He justly condemned Him to die, though guiltless, because our sins were imputed to Him; and He justly raised Him from the dead, because our sins had been expiated by Him. His work was perfect, therefore His deliverance was just. He is a just God, and therefore never will exact the same debt of the sinner, which was paid by His surety; nor condemn Him for that for which His Substitute atoned. His justice will shine in our eternal acquittal, and be eternally honoured in our endless salvation. He drew the plan of salvation, sent His Son to execute it, gives His Spirit to put us in possession of the blessing, and at last receives us to Himself, of purest grace. "He saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."
Mystery of redemption this All my sins on Christ were laid; Mine offence was reckon'd His; He the great atonement made! Here His justice He displays, While He saves my soul by grace.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
GOD cannot part with His justice even to gratify His love; and His justice shines equally with His grace in the present and eternal salvation of our soul. He gave His son for a Substitute, He appointed Him to our Surety, and punished Him in our stead. He justly condemned Him to die, though guiltless, because our sins were imputed to Him; and He justly raised Him from the dead, because our sins had been expiated by Him. His work was perfect, therefore His deliverance was just. He is a just God, and therefore never will exact the same debt of the sinner, which was paid by His surety; nor condemn Him for that for which His Substitute atoned. His justice will shine in our eternal acquittal, and be eternally honoured in our endless salvation. He drew the plan of salvation, sent His Son to execute it, gives His Spirit to put us in possession of the blessing, and at last receives us to Himself, of purest grace. "He saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."
Mystery of redemption this All my sins on Christ were laid; Mine offence was reckon'd His; He the great atonement made! Here His justice He displays, While He saves my soul by grace.