The Fourth of November.

THE LAW --- 1 Timothy 1:9.

"The law is not made for a righteous man, to condemn him." --- 1 Timothy 1:9.

For he being dead to the law by the death of Christ, and living to God in righteousness, the law can condemn him no more than a dead man, or one that liveth in heaven already, nay, Christ himself; for it condemns only the sin; but he is in Christ without sin; for the sin being abolished, the wrath the curse of the law are also removed, and grace and blessing restored in its place.

Christ has taken all his sins upon himself, and imparted his own perfect obedience to the law to him; therefore, in Christ he has fully satisfied all the demands of the law, and is entirely free from its dreadful curse in his conscience; the blood of Christ cleansing us from all sins, and, consequently, from an evil conscience, Hebrews 4:9, 14; 10:22. Being sprinkled with his blood, and graciously covered with his golden robes, the Lord is perfectly pleased, and finds no fault with us. The atoning blood makes intercession for us with God, crying, continually, "Abba, Abba; mercy, mercy; peace, peace!" and obtains grace, life, and salvation.

Blood has a voice to pierce the skies;
Revenge! the blood of Abel cries;
But the dear stream when Christ was slain
Speaks peace as loud from every vein.

Pardon and peace from God on high;
Behold, he lays his vengeance by;
And rebels, that deserve his sword,
Become the favourites of the Lord.

Devotion for November 4