Chapter IV: Part II: Sin; Its Origin, Results, and Remedy

Driven From Eden. "Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden
of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken." Gen. 3:23.

Creation And The Creator

Creation. "Behold, it was very good." Gen. 1:31.

1. By whom were the heavens and the earth created?

“In the beginning _God_ created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1.

2. Through whom did God create all things?

“For _by Him_ [the Son] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: _all things were created by Him_, and for Him.” Col. 1:16. “All things were made _by Him_ [_through Him_, R. V., margin]: and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3. See also Heb. 1:1, 2.

3. What do the heavens declare?

“The heavens declare _the glory of God_; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” Ps. 19:1.

4. What was God’s object in making the earth?

“For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, _He formed it to be inhabited_.” Isa. 45:18.

5. In whose image was man created?

“So God created man _in His own image_, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” Gen. 1:27.

6. What home did God make for man in the beginning?

“And the Lord God planted _a garden_ eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food.... And the Lord God took the man, and put him into _the garden of Eden_ to dress it and to keep it.” Gen. 2:8-15.

7. What may be perceived through the things that are made?

“For _the invisible things of Him_ from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even _His eternal power and Godhead_; so that they are without excuse.” Rom. 1:20.

8. Whose workmanship is the Christian?

“For we are _His workmanship_, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10.

9. What assurance is given concerning the unfailing power of the Creator?

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, _fainteth not, neither is weary_? there is no searching of His understanding.” Isa. 40:28.

10. What encouraging statement follows concerning the supply of power to the faint?

“_He giveth power to the faint_; and to them that have no might _He increaseth strength_.” Verse 29.

11. To whom are those who suffer exhorted to commit their souls?

“Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing _unto a faithful Creator_.” 1 Peter 4:19, R. V.

12. What gave special force to the oath of an angel?

“And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by Him that liveth forever and ever, _who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein_, that there should be time no longer.” Rev. 10:5, 6.

13. What contrast is drawn in the Scriptures between the Creator and false gods?

“Thus shall ye say unto them, _The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth_, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.... The portion of Jacob is not like them: for _He is the former of all things_; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The Lord of hosts is His name.” Jer. 10:11-16.

14. To whom is our worship justly due?

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before _the Lord our Maker_.” Ps. 95:6.

15. In view of the curse upon this creation, what has God promised?

“For, behold, _I create new heavens and a new earth_: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isa. 65:17. See Rev. 21:1.

16. What is the true basis of the brotherhood of man?

“_Have we not all one Father? hath not one God created us?_ why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?” Mal. 2:10.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

O Thou eternal One! whose presence bright
All space doth occupy, all motion guide;
Unchanged through time’s all devastating flight!
Thou only God—there is no God beside!
Being above all beings! Mighty One,
Whom none can comprehend and none explore;
Who fill’st existence with Thyself alone,
Embracing all, supporting, ruling o’er;
Being whom we call God, and know no more!

Thou from primeval nothingness didst call
First chaos, then existence; Lord, on Thee
Eternity hath its foundation; all
Sprung forth from Thee,—of light, joy, harmony,
Sole origin,—all life, all beauty Thine;
Thy word created all, and doth create;
Thy splendor fills all space with rays divine;
Thou art and wert and shalt be! Glorious! Great!
Light-giving, life-sustaining Potentate!

DERZHAVIN.

The Origin Of Evil

The Fall Of Satan. "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke
10:18.

1. With whom did sin originate?

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for _the devil sinneth from the beginning_.” 1 John 3:8.

NOTE.—Without the Bible, the question of the origin of evil would
remain unexplained.

2. From what time has the devil been a murderer?

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. _He was a murderer from the beginning_, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.” John 8:44.

3. What is the devil’s relationship to lying?

“When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for _he is a liar, and the father of it_.” Same verse.

4. Was Satan created sinful?

“Thou wast _perfect_ in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, _till iniquity was found in thee_.” Eze. 28:15.

NOTE.—This, and the statement in John 8:44, that he “_abode_ not
in the truth,” show that Satan was once _perfect_, and _in the
truth_. Peter speaks of “the angels that _sinned_” (2 Peter 2:4);
and Jude refers to “the angels which _kept not their first
estate_” (Jude 6); both of which show that these angels were once
in a state of sinlessness and innocence.

5. What further statement of Christ seems to lay the responsibility for the origin of sin upon Satan and his angels?

“Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, _prepared for the devil and his angels_.” Matt. 25:41.

6. What led to Satan’s sin, rebellion, and downfall?

“_Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty_, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy _brightness_.” Eze. 28:17. “Thou hast said in thine heart, _I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: ... I will be like the Most High_.” Isa. 14:13, 14.

NOTE.—In a word, pride and self-exaltation led to Satan’s
downfall, and for these there is no justification or adequate
excuse. “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit
before a fall.” Prov. 16:18. Hence, while we may know of the
origin, cause, character, and results of evil, no good or
sufficient reason or excuse can be given for it. To excuse it is
to justify it; and the moment it is justified it ceases to be sin.
All sin is a manifestation of selfishness in some form, and its
results are the opposite of those prompted by love. The experiment
of sin will result finally in its utter abandonment and banishment
forever, by all created intelligences, throughout the entire
universe of God. Only those who foolishly and persistently cling
to sin will be destroyed with it. The wicked will then “be as
though they had not been” (Obadiah 16), and the righteous shall
“shine as the brightness of the firmament,” and “as the stars
forever and ever.” Dan. 12:3. “Affliction shall not rise up the
second time.” Nahum 1:9. See reading on “Origin, History, and
Destiny of Satan,” page 499.

7. In contrast with the pride and self-exaltation exhibited by Satan, what spirit did Christ manifest?

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but _made Himself of no reputation_, and took upon Him the form of a _servant_, and was made in the likeness of _men_: and being found in fashion as a man, _He humbled Himself_, and became obedient unto _death_, even _the death of the cross_.” Phil. 2:6-8.

8. After man had sinned, how did God show His love, and His willingness to forgive?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

NOTE.—Inasmuch as God, who is love, who delights in mercy, and who
changes not, offered pardon and granted a period of probation to
man when he sinned, it is but reasonable to conclude that a like
course was pursued toward the heavenly intelligences who first
sinned, and that only those who persisted in sin, and took their
stand in open revolt and rebellion against God and the government
of heaven, were finally cast out of heaven. Rev. 12:7-9.

Cain And Abel--The First Murder. "Cain, who was of that wicked one, and
slew his brother." 1 John 3:12.

The Fall And Redemption Of Man

Sin And Its Remedy. "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

1. What is sin declared to be?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for _sin is the transgression of the law_.” 1 John 3:4.

2. What precedes the manifestation of sin?

“Then when _lust_ hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin.” James 1:15.

3. What is the final result or fruit of sin?

“And sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth _death_.” Same verse. “The wages of sin is _death_.” Rom. 6:23.

4. Upon how many of the human race did death pass as the result of Adam’s transgression?

“By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so _death passed upon all men_, for that all have sinned.” Rom. 5:12. “In Adam _all die_.” 1 Cor. 15:22.

5. How was the earth itself affected by Adam’s sin?

“_Cursed is the ground_ for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; _thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee_.” Gen. 3:17, 18.

6. What additional curse came as the result of the first murder?

“And the Lord said unto Cain, ... And _now art thou cursed from the earth_, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; _when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength_.” Gen. 4:9-12.

7. What terrible judgment came in consequence of continued sin and transgression against God?

“And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.... The end of all flesh is come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence.” “And Noah was six hundred years old when _the flood of waters_ was upon the earth.... The same day were _all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened_.” Gen. 6:7-13; 7:6-11.

8. After the flood, what came in consequence of further apostasy from God?

“And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let Us go down, and there _confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech_. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.” Gen. 11:5-8.

9. Into what condition has sin brought the entire creation?

“For we know that the whole creation _groaneth_ and _travaileth in pain together_ until now.” Rom. 8:22.

10. What explains God’s apparent delay in dealing with sin?

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is _long-suffering to us ward_, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

11. What is God’s attitude toward the sinner?

“For _I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth_, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Eze. 18:32.

12. Can man free himself from the dominion of sin?

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? _then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil_.” Jer. 13:23.

13. What place has the will in determining whether man shall have life?

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And _whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely_.” Rev. 22:17.

14. To what extent has Christ suffered for sinners?

“He was _wounded_ for our transgressions, He was _bruised_ for our iniquities: the _chastisement_ of our peace was upon Him; and with His _stripes_ we are healed.” Isa. 53:5.

15. For what purpose was Christ manifested?

“And we know that _He was manifested to take away our sins_; and in Him is no sin.... He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, _that He might destroy the works of the devil_.” 1 John 3:5-8.

16. What was one direct purpose of the incarnation of Christ?

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; _that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil_.” Heb. 2:14.

17. What triumphant chorus will mark the end of the reign of sin?

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, _Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever_.” Rev. 5:13.

18. When and by what means will the effects of sin be removed?

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and _the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up_.” 2 Peter 3:10.

19. How will the curse of the confusion of tongues be brought to an end?

“For _then will I turn to the people a pure language_, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.” Zeph. 3:9.

20. How thoroughly will the effects of sin be removed?

“And God shall _wipe away all tears_ from their eyes; and there shall be _no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away_.” Rev. 21:4. “_And there shall be no more curse_: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it [the holy city]; and His servants shall serve Him.” Rev. 22:3.

21. Will sin and its evil results ever appear again?

“What do ye imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end: _affliction shall not rise up the second time_.” Nahum 1:9. “There shall be _no more death_.” “And there shall be _no more curse_.” Rev. 21:4; 22:3.

NOTE.—That sin exists none can deny. Why it was permitted has
perplexed many minds. But He who can bring light out of darkness
(2 Cor. 4:6), make the wrath of man to praise Him (Ps. 76:10), and
turn a curse into a blessing (Deut. 23:5), can bring good out of
evil, and turn mistakes and downfalls into stepping-stones to
higher ground. Heaven will be happier for the sorrows of earth.
“Sorrows remembered sweeten present joy,” says Robert Pollock, in
“The Course of Time,” page 29. In the final outcome it will be
seen that all things have worked together for good to them that
love God. Rom. 8:28. Cowper, despondent and about to drown
himself, was carried the wrong way by his driver, and went home to
write the inspiring hymn below.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings o’er your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
WILLIAM COWPER.

Creation And Redemption

Creative Power. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works." Eph. 2:10.

1. What is revealed concerning God in the first verse of the Bible?

“In the beginning _God created the heaven and the earth_.” Gen. 1:1.

2. What contrast is repeatedly drawn in the Scriptures between the true God and false gods?

“Thus shall ye say unto them, _The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth_, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.... The portion of Jacob is not like them: for _He is the former of all things_; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: The Lord of hosts is His name.” Jer. 10:11-16. See Jer. 14:22; Acts 17:22-29; Rev. 14:6-10.

3. Through whom did God work in creating all things?

“In the beginning was _the Word_, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. _All things were made by Him_; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1-3.

4. Through whom is redemption wrought?

“But 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. 5:8, 9.

5. In what scripture do we learn that Christ, the active agent in creation, is also the head of the church?

“_For by Him were all things created_, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: _all things were created by Him_, and for Him: and He is before all things, and _by Him all things consist_. And _He is the head of the body, the church_: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.” Col. 1:16-18.

6. What scripture shows that the Creator is also the Redeemer?

“But now thus saith _the Lord that created thee, O Jacob_, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for _I have redeemed thee_, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.” Isa. 43:1.

7. Who is declared to be the source of power to the weak?

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, _the Creator_ of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. _He giveth power to the faint_; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” Isa. 40:28, 29.

8. What prayer of David shows that he regarded redemption as a creative work?

“_Create in me a clean heart_, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps. 51:10.

9. Who keeps the heavenly bodies in their places?

“To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith _the Holy One_. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, _that bringeth out their host by number_: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isa. 40:25, 26.

10. What can the same Holy One do for the believer?

“Now unto Him that is able to _keep you from falling_, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 24, 25.

11. What is the measure of the power which is available for the help of the believer?

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us ward who believe, _according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places_.” Eph. 1:17-20.

12. How great was the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage?

“Ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, _since the day that God created man upon the earth_, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?... _Hath God assayed to go and take Him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors_, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?” Deut. 4:32-34.

NOTE.—The great deliverance of Israel from bondage and oppression
in Egypt is but a type of the power of God displayed in the
deliverance of man from the bondage and slavery of sin. In both is
seen a manifestation of creative power.

13. What scripture plainly states that it is creative power which transforms the believer?

“For we are His workmanship, _created in Christ Jesus unto good works_, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10.

14. Of what great work is the Sabbath both a memorial and a sign?

“_Remember the Sabbath day_, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: _for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is_, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Ex. 20:8-11. “It is a _sign_ between Me and the children of Israel forever: _for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth_, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.” Ex. 31:17.

15. Inasmuch as creation and redemption are both wrought by the same creative power, of what besides the original creation was the Sabbath given to be a sign?

“Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, _that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them_.” Eze. 20:12.

16. Through whose agency is the material universe sustained?

“And He [Christ] is before all things, and in Him all things _hold together_.” Col. 1:17, R. V., margin.

17. What statement shows that all things, both material and spiritual, are sustained by the same personal agency?

“But to us there is ... one Lord Jesus Christ, _by whom are all things_, and we by Him.” 1 Cor. 8:6.

18. Why is God worthy to receive glory and honor?

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: _for Thou hast created all things_, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Rev. 4:11.

NOTE.—That comparatively modern view of creation known as
evolution, which rests upon human research rather than upon divine
revelation, and which substitutes an impersonal force for a
personal Creator, overthrows the very foundation of the gospel.
Redemption is simply the new creation, and the Creator is the
Redeemer. The Head of the original creation is the Head of the new
creation. The original creation was wrought through Christ by the
power of the word; the new creation, or redemption, is wrought in
exactly the same way. The evolutionary theory of creation
inevitably involves an evolutionary theory of the gospel, and sets
aside the truth concerning sin, the atoning sacrifice of Christ,
and the necessity of becoming new creatures through faith in the
saving power of Christ.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

O worship the King, all-glorious above,
And gratefully sing His wonderful love;
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of days,
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise!

O tell of His might, and sing of His grace,
Whose robe is the light; whose canopy, space;
His chariots of wrath the deep thunder-clouds form,
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm!

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail;
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies, how tender! how firm to the end!
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!
ROBERT GRANT.

The Character And Attributes Of God

The Bow Of Promise. "This is the token of the covenant." Gen. 9:17.

1. In what one word is the character of God expressed?

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is _love_.” 1 John 4:8.

2. What are some of the attributes of God?

“The Lord is _righteous_ in all His ways, and _holy_ in all His works.” Ps. 145:17.

3. Does Christ possess these same attributes?

“By His knowledge shall _My righteous servant_ [Christ] justify many.” Isa. 53:11. “Neither wilt Thou suffer _Thine Holy One_ to see corruption.” Acts 2:27.

4. When proclaiming His name to Moses, how did the Lord define His character?

“And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, _merciful_ and _gracious_, _long-suffering_, and _abundant in goodness and truth_, _keeping mercy for thousands_, _forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin_, and that will by no means clear the guilty.” Ex. 34:5-7.

5. What is said of the tender compassion of God?

“But Thou, O Lord, art a God _full of compassion_, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Ps. 86:15.

6. What is said of God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises?

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, _the faithful God_, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.” Deut. 7:9.

7. What is said of the strength and wisdom of God?

“Behold, God is _mighty_, and despiseth not any: He is _mighty in strength and wisdom_.” Job 36:5.

8. What treasures are hid in Christ?

“In whom are hid all the treasures of _wisdom_ and _knowledge_.” Col. 2:3.

9. In what language is the justice of God described?

“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for _all His ways are judgment_: a God of truth and without iniquity, _just and right is He_.” Deut. 32:4.

10. In what words is His impartiality proclaimed?

“For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, _which regardeth not persons_, nor taketh reward.” Deut. 10:17. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that _God is no respecter of persons_: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” Acts 10: 34, 35.

11. To how many is the Lord good?

“The Lord is _good to all_: and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Ps. 145:9.

12. Why did Christ tell us to love our enemies?

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; _that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust_.” Matt. 5:44, 45.

13. How perfect does Christ tell His followers to be?

“Be ye therefore perfect, _even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect_.” Verse 48.

The Love Of God

The Burial Of Christ. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son." John 3:16.

1. What is God declared to be?

“God is love.” 1 John 4:16.

2. How great is God’s love for the world?

“_For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son_, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

3. In what act especially has God’s love been manifested?

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that _God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him_.” 1 John 4:9.

4. In what does God delight?

“Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because _He delighteth in mercy_.” Micah 7:18.

5. How are His mercies continually manifested?

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. _They are new every morning_: great is Thy faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22, 23.

6. Upon how many does God bestow His blessings?

“He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt. 5:45

7. What did Jesus say of the one who loves Him?

“_He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him_, and will manifest Myself unto him.” John 14:21.

8. Into what relationship to God does His love bring us?

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called _the sons of God_.” 1 John 3:1.

9. How may we know that we are the sons of God?

“For _as many as are led by the Spirit of God_, they are the sons of God.... _The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit_, that we are the children of God.” Rom. 8:14-16.

10. How is the love of God supplied to the believer?

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts _by the Holy Ghost_ which is given unto us.” Rom. 5:5.

11. In view of God’s great love to us, what ought we to do?

“Beloved, if God so loved us, _we ought also to love one another_.” 1 John 4:11.

12. With what measure of love should we serve others?

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and _we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren_.” 1 John 3:16.

13. What exhortation is based upon Christ’s love for us?

“And _walk in love_, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.” Eph. 5:2.

14. Upon what ground does God’s work for sinners rest?

“But God, who is rich in mercy, _for His great love wherewith He loved us_, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:4-6. See Titus 3:5, 6.

15. In what other way is God’s love sometimes shown?

“For whom the Lord loveth He _chasteneth_, and _scourgeth_ every son whom He receiveth.” Heb. 12:6.

16. In view of God’s great love, what may we confidently expect?

“He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely _give us all things_?” Rom. 8:32

Bearing The Cross. "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love." Jer.
31:3.

17. What is God’s love able to do for His children?

“Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not harken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God _turned the curse into a blessing_ unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee.” Deut. 23:5.

18. When men appreciate God’s love, what will they do?

“How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men _put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings_.” Ps. 36:7.

19. How enduring is God’s love for us?

“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, _I have loved thee with an everlasting love_: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jer. 31:3.

20. Can anything separate the true child of God from the love of God?

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:38, 39.

21. Unto whom will the saints forever ascribe praise?

“_Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins_ in His own blood, ... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.” Rev. 1:5, 6.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in His justice,
Which is more than liberty.

There is welcome for the sinner,
And more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Saviour;
There is healing in His blood.

For the love of God is broader
Than the measure of man’s mind,
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.

If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word;
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord.

FREDERICK W. FABER.

The Deity Of Christ

Raising The Widow’s Son. "In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead
bodily." Col. 2:9.

1. How has the Father shown that His Son is one person of the Godhead?

“But _unto the Son He saith_, Thy throne, _O God_, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Thy kingdom.” Heb. 1:8.

2. In what other scripture is the same truth taught?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and _the Word was God_.” John 1:1.

3. In what way did Christ refer to the eternity of His being?

“And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee _before the world was_.” John 17:5. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been of old, _from everlasting_.” Micah 5:2. See margin; and Matt. 2:6; John 8:58; Ex. 3:13, 14.

4. How was Christ begotten in the flesh?

“And the angel answered and said unto her, _The Holy Ghost_ shall come upon thee, and _the power of the Highest_ shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35.

5. What scripture states that the Son of God was God manifested in the flesh?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and _the Word was God_.” “And _the Word was made flesh_, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 14.

6. What does Christ say is His relation to the Father?

“I and My Father are _one_.” John 10:30.

7. How was He manifested on earth as a Saviour?

“For unto you is _born_ this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.

8. Why was it necessary that He should be born thus, and partake of human nature?

“Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, _that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God_, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Heb. 2:17.

9. How was He recognized by the Father while on earth?

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, _This is My beloved Son_, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17.

10. What shows that Christ sustains the same relation to the angels as does the Father?

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father _with His angels_; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.” Matt. 16:27. See Matt. 24:31.

11. How did Christ assert an equal proprietorship with His Father in the kingdom?

“The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of _His kingdom_ all things that offend, and them which do iniquity.” Matt. 13:41.

12. To whom do the elect equally belong?

“And shall not God avenge _His own elect_, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?” Luke 18:7. “And He [the Son of man] shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together _His elect_ from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matt. 24:31.

13. Who are equally joined in bestowing the final rewards?

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him [God, the Father]: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that _He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him_.” Heb. 11:6. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and _then He shall reward every man according to his works_.” Matt. 16:27.

NOTE.—In the texts (Matt. 16:27; 13:41; 24:31) in which Christ
refers to the angels as “His angels” and to the kingdom as “His
kingdom” and to the elect as “His elect,” He refers to Himself as
“the Son of man.” It thus appears that while He was on earth as a
man, He recognized His essential deity and His equality with His
Father in heaven.

14. What fulness dwells in Christ?

“For in Him dwelleth _all the fulness of the Godhead bodily_.” Col. 2:9.

15. What does God (Jehovah) declare Himself to be?

“Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and His Redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the _first_, and I am the _last_; and beside Me there is no God.” Isa. 44:6.

16. In what scripture does Christ adopt the same expression?

“And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the _first_ and the _last_.” Rev. 22:12, 13.

17. Having such a wonderful Saviour, what are we exhorted to do?

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, _let us hold fast our profession_. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:14, 15.

Before the heavens were spread abroad,
From everlasting was the Word;
With God He was, the Word was God,
And must divinely be adored.

Ere sin was born, or Satan fell,
He led the host of morning stars;
His generation who can tell,
Or count the number of His years?

But lo! He leaves those heavenly forms;
The Word descends and dwells in clay,
That He may converse hold with worms,
Pressed in such feeble flesh as they.
ISAAC WATTS.

Prophecies Relating To Christ

The Star Of Bethlehem. "There shall come a Star out of Jacob." Num. 24:17.

1. Whom did Moses say the Lord would raise up?

“The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee _a Prophet_ from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me, unto Him ye shall harken.” Deut. 18:15. See also verse 18.

2. What use of this prophecy by the apostle Peter shows that it referred to Christ?

“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, _A prophet_ shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me.... Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of _these days_.” Acts 3:22-24.

3. In what language did Isaiah foretell Christ’s birth?

“Behold, _a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son_, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isa. 7:14.

4. In what event was this prophecy fulfilled?

“Now _all this was done_ [the birth of Jesus of the Virgin Mary], that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matt. 1:22, 23.

5. Where was the Messiah to be born?

“But thou, _Bethlehem Ephratah_, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Micah 5:2.

6. When was Jesus born?

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea _in the days of Herod the king_.” Matt. 2:1.

7. Under what striking emblem was He prophesied of by Balaam?

“There shall come _a Star_ out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” Num. 24:17.

8. In what scripture does Christ apply the same emblem to Himself?

“I am the root and the offspring of David, and _the bright and morning star_.” Rev. 22:16. See also 2 Peter 1:19; Rev. 2:28.

9. What prophecy was fulfilled in the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem?

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and _slew all the children that were in Bethlehem_, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled _that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet_, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” Matt. 2:16-18.

10. How was Christ’s first advent to be heralded?

“_The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness_, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isa. 40:3.

11. By whom was this fulfilled?

“And this is the record of _John_, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?... he said, _I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness_, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.” John 1:19-23.

12. How was Christ to be received by His own people?

“He is _despised_ and _rejected_ of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was _despised_, and _we esteemed Him not_.” Isa. 53:3.

Christ Before Pilate. "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He
opened not His mouth." Isa. 53:7.

13. How is the fulfilment of this prophecy recorded?

“He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. _He came unto His own, and His own received Him not._” John 1:10, 11.

14. What was predicted of Christ’s preaching?

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because _the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek_; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isa. 61:1.

15. What application did Jesus make of this prophecy?

“And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.... And He began to say unto them, _This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears_.” Luke 4:16-21. See Luke 7:19-22.

16. How, according to prophecy, was Christ to conduct Himself when on trial?

“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, _yet He opened not His mouth_: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, _so He openeth not His mouth_.” Isa. 53:7.

17. When accused by His enemies before Pilate, how did Christ treat these accusations?

“Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee? And _He answered him to never a word_; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly.” Matt. 27:13, 14.

18. What prophecy foretold of the disposal of Christ’s garments at the crucifixion?

“They _part My garments_ among them, and _cast lots_ upon My vesture.” Ps. 22:18.

19. What record answers to this prophecy?

“And they crucified Him, and _parted His garments, casting lots_: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted My garments among them, and upon My vesture did they cast lots.” Matt. 27:35.

20. What was foretold of His treatment while on the cross?

“They gave Me also _gall_ for My meat; and in My thirst they gave Me _vinegar_ to drink.” Ps. 69:21.

21. What was offered Christ at His crucifixion?

“They gave Him _vinegar_ to drink mingled with _gall_: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink.” Matt. 27:34. See also John 19:28-30, and page 167 of this work.

22. With whom did the prophet Isaiah say Christ would make His grave?

“And He made His grave with the _wicked_, and with the _rich_ in His death.” Isa. 53:9.

23. With whom was Christ crucified?

“Then were there _two thieves_ crucified with Him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.” Matt. 27:38.

24. Who took charge of Christ’s body after it was taken down from the cross?

“_A rich man of Arimathæa, named Joseph_, ... went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.... He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock.” Verses 57-60.

25. What experience in the life of a noted prophet indicated the length of Christ’s stay in the grave?

“But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for _as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly_; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matt. 12:39,40.

26. What prophecy foretold Christ’s triumph over death?

“For _Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell_; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” Ps. 16:10. See Acts 2:24-27.

Christ The Way Of Life

At Jacob’s Well. "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him
shall never thirst." John 4:14.

1. What does Jesus declare Himself to be?

“Jesus saith unto him, _I am the way, the truth, and the life_: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

2. In what condition are all men?

“But the Scripture hath concluded all _under sin_.” Gal. 3:22. “For _all have sinned_, and come short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23.

3. What are the wages of sin?

“The wages of sin is _death_.” Rom. 6:23.

4. How many are affected by Adam’s transgression?

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so _death passed upon all men_.” Rom. 5:12.

5. What is the gift of God?

“The gift of God is _eternal life_.” Rom. 6:23.

6. How many may receive this gift?

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And _whosoever will_, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

7. In whom is the gift?

“This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and _this life is in His Son_.” 1 John 5:11.

8. In receiving the Son, what do we have in Him?

“He that hath the Son hath _life_.” Verse 12.

9. What loss do those sustain who do not accept Him?

“And he that hath not the Son of God _hath not life_.” Same verse.

10. In what other way is this same truth stated?

“_He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life_; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

11. After one truly receives Christ, whose life will be manifested in him?

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but _Christ liveth in me_: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.

12. In what condition are all before they are quickened with Christ?

“God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were _dead in sins_, hath quickened us together with Christ.” Eph. 2:4, 5.

13. What is this change from death to life called?

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

14. When man first transgressed, what was done to prevent him from living forever in sin?

“And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.... So _He drove out the man_; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Gen. 3:22-24.

15. What is declared to be one purpose of Christ’s death?

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; _that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil_.” Heb. 2:14.

16. Through whom will Abraham receive the promise of the future inheritance?

“The Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto _thy seed_ will I give this land.” Gen. 12:7.

17. How many were embraced in God’s promises to Abraham?

“And in thy seed shall _all the kindreds of the earth_ be blessed.” Acts 3:25.

18. To whom does the “seed” in these promises refer?

“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is _Christ_.” Gal. 3:16.

19. What would make the death of Christ in vain?

“_If righteousness come by the law_, then Christ is dead in vain.” Gal. 2:21.

20. Why have all been reckoned under sin?

“But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, _that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe_.” Gal. 3:22.

21. How then do all become children of God?

“For ye are all the children of God _by faith in Christ Jesus_.” Verse 26.

22. With whom are the children of God joint heirs?

“If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and _joint heirs with Christ_.” Rom. 8:17.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Thou art the Way; to Thee alone,
From sin and death we flee;
And he who would the Father seek,
Must seek Him, Lord, by Thee.

Thou art the Truth; Thy word alone.
True wisdom can impart;
Thou only canst inform the mind
And purify the heart.

Thou art the Life; the rending tomb
Proclaims Thy conquering arm;
And those who put their trust in Thee,
Nor death nor hell shall harm.

Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life;
Grant us that way to know,
That truth to keep, that life to win,
Whose joys eternal flow.

The Serpent In The Wilderness. "When he beheld the serpent of brass, he
lived." Num. 21:9.

Salvation Only Through Christ

On The Cross. "He is able to save to the uttermost." Heb. 7:25.

1. For what purpose did Christ come into the world?

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world _to save sinners_.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

2. Why was He to be named “Jesus”?

“Thou shalt call His name Jesus: _for He shall save His people from their sins_.” Matt. 1:21.

3. Is there salvation through any other?

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, _whereby we must be saved_.” Acts 4:12.

4. Through whom are we reconciled to God?

“All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself _by Jesus Christ_, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that _God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself_, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” 2 Cor. 5:18, 19.

5. What has Christ been made for us, and for what purpose?

“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_.” Verse 21.

6. How dependent are we upon Christ for salvation?

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: ... _without Me ye can do nothing_.” John 15:5.

7. What three essentials for a Saviour are found in Christ?

_Deity._ “But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, _O God_, is forever and ever.” Heb. 1:8.

_Humanity._ “When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, _made of a woman_, made under the law.” Gal. 4:4.

_Sinlessness._ “_Who did no sin_, neither was guile found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22.

8. How did Christ show from the Scriptures that the promised Saviour of the world must be both human and divine?

“While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is He? They say unto Him, _The son of David_. He saith unto them, _How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord_; saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? _If David then call him Lord, how is He his son?_” Matt. 22:41-45.

NOTE.—Another has aptly put this important truth concerning the
union of the human and divine in Christ thus: “Divinity needed
humanity that humanity might afford a channel of communication
between God and man. Man needs a power out of and above himself to
restore him to the likeness of God. There must be a power working
from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from
sin to holiness. That power is Christ.”

9. What two facts testify to the union of divinity and humanity in Christ?

“Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was _made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead_.” Rom. 1:3, 4

10. How complete was Christ’s victory over death?

“I am the first and the last: _I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore_, Amen; and have the keys of _hell_ and of _death_.” Rev. 1:17, 18. See Acts 2:24.

11. How complete is the salvation obtained in Christ?

“Wherefore, _He is able also to save them to the uttermost_ that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:25.

12. What should we say for such a Saviour?

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Cor. 9:15.