Greetings sis Reis, et al;
THese are glorious comments by mr. Hawker on a magnificently phrased
passage of scripture. We were indeed "afar off" when CHRIST redeemed
us. I have often heard men say that the sons of GOD will be restored to
the state in which Adam was before he fell. I think that is an error
of thought. The redemptive work of CHRIST has procured for the sons of
GOD a more delightful and glorious standing than Adam ever had. Adam
was created in a body of flesh and blood which was susceptible to sin
and decay. THe sons of GOD are made free from sin and given an
immortal body in CHRIST. On top of that, while Adam was given a place
to dwell in the garden as a creature of flesh and blood, the sons of GOD
are raised up to be heirs and joint heirs with CHRIST and to dwell in
HIS presence forever. Blessed be HIM who bought us with HIS own precious
blood.
Blessings, mike
On 3/8/2021 2:42 PM, Soraya Reis wrote:
*"But now in Christ Jesus, ye, who sometimes were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13*
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*Of all the vast alterations made upon our nature by grace, that which is from death to life seems to be the greatest. I do not think the change would be as great, if Jesus were to make a child of God, after his conversion, at once na archangel, as when, by his blessed Spirit he quickens the sinner, dead in trespasses and sins, and brings him into grace. My soul, contemplate the sweet thought this morning, that it may lead thee, with thy hymn of praise, to all precious Jesus! First then, my soul, think where you then stood, before this vast act of grace had quickened you. You stood on the very confines of hell— unawakened, unregenerate, uncalled, without God, and without Christ. Supposing the Lord had not saved you; supposing a sickness unto death had, by his command, taken you; supposing that any one cause had been commissioned to sign your death-warrant while in this state; where must have been your portion? And yet consider, my soul; how many nights and days did you live in this unconscious, unconcerned state? Oh! who, in this view of the thought, can look back without having the eye brimful of tears, and the heart bursting with love and thankfulness! *
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*Go on, my soul, and contemplate the subject in another point of view; and pause in the pleasing thought, "where you now stand." You are now, saith the apostle," made nigh by the blood of Christ." You that was na enemy to God 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. And now, my soul, if death should come, it is but the messenger to glory. Precious, blessed thought! And Oh, how much more precious, blessed Jesus, the Author of it! Advance, my soul, one step more in this sweet subject, and pleasingly consider, where you soon shall be. Paul answereth; "So shall we be ever with the Lord." "Ever with the Lord!" Who can write down the full amount of this blessedness? "Ever with the Lord!" *
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*Here we are, in Jesus, interested in all that belongs to Jesus; but there, we shall be also with Jesus. Here we see him but as through a glass darkly; but there, face to face. Here, even the views we have of him by faith, are but glimpses only—short and rare, compared to our desires; but there, we shall see him in reality, in substance, and unceasingly, the precious, glorious, God-man Christ Jesus. Here, our sins, though pardoned, yet dim our view, by reason of their effects; there, we shall for ever have lost them, and see, and know, even as we are known. And have these blessed changes taken place in my soul; and all by thee, thou gracious, precious, Holy One of Israel? Oh for grace to love thee, to live to thee, to be looking out for thee, dearest Jesus, that I may be counting every parting breath, every beating pulse, as one the less, to bring me nearer and nearer to Jesus, who is my everlasting home, and will ere long, be my never-ceasing portion and happiness in eternity. Hallelujah!*
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*Robert Hawker (1753-1827) *
