January 17th 1884

Rose to worship at half-past nine. Paul sums up his work by telling that he preached "repentance toward God, and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ." Holy Spirit, teach what to write. The holy law commands us to "love the Lord thy God." The blessed gospel declares that "God so loved." "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." - (Rom. v. 8, 9.) "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." - (John xvii. 23.) "Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love." - (John xiv. 8, 9.) Who can tell of the unsearchable love of God in Christ Jesus, from everlasting to everlasting? His people say, "Behold what manner of love" is this. They love Him because He first loved them. Eternity will be unfolding it. Oh, then, what repentance ought to be toward God for not keeping ourselves in the love of God, and for doing that which He hates, thus grieving the ever blessed, loving Father. "To whom much is forgiven, the same loveth much." There also ought to be "faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ." "He that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh" to the Son. This is the will of the father, that whosoever seeth the Son should believe on Him, that He came to do His will, and to lay down his life for the sheep. Who makes God a liar, but they that believe not that there is life in His Son? The fifty-third chapter of Isaiah sets forth the glorious One, taking the low place of the transgressor, so making peace. "Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things; from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." - (Acts xiii. 38,39.) May the love of Christ constrain us to live not unto ourselves, but unto Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us, the wonderful bridegroom of His church.