May 16 AM

God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. 2 Cor. 5:19.

The only living and true God, the great and essentially glorious Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit is manifested to sinners, as dwelling in the man Christ Jesus. This is the peculiar and precious truth of the gospel. A glorious mystery known only to believing souls. All other pretended knowledge of God is but vain speculation, and pompous ignorance, which dwell in men of corrupt minds, destitute of the truth. But the new-born soul draws all his comfort, peace, joy, and holiness from this inexhaustible fountain of truth and consolation. From hence ariseth his love to God and delight in him. He beholds God, in Christ, loving and embracing poor sinners of the human race. God is well pleased with them, and delighteth over them to do them good. Thus saith Luther: 'Mark this well in the matter of justification: when any of us shall have to wrestle with the law, sin, death, and all other evils, we must look upon no other God, but only this God incarnate, and clothed with man's nature.' Eph. 2:18; Col. 1:15-20.

Thus God and man unite in the one man Christ Jesus; in this faith only is the mind of a Christian easy and happy; for the cause of all distress and sorrow is taken away. Amazing grace! wonderful love! Canst thou read it? canst thou believe it without transport of joy? God is perfectly reconciled; he doth not impute trespasses. Unto whom? Verily, the world, the elect world of Gentiles as well as Jews; ALL sinners of the fallen race whom the Father hath given to his Son Christ Jesus. God is reconciled to them. In faith and love they shall be reconciled to him: to his covenant transactions, electing love, justifying grace, scheme of salvation, and hope of eternal life by Jesus only. As the Father gave their persons, so he imputed their sins to Jesus, he bore them away, God chargeth not trespasses to them, they are free from sin, as viewed by God in Christ. To this truth the Spirit bears witness, through the faith of Jesus. So, believer, thou art to reckon of thyself. Though [evil] as hell, polluted with guilt, defiled with sin, yet in Christ "thou art all fair, without spot;" fully reconciled to God, and standest without trespasses before him. What a free access hast thou ever open to God! what cause for triumph in him, and love to him! what assured hope of eternal enjoyment of him! O my soul, what reward shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies!

Till God in human flesh I see,

My thoughts no comfort find:

The holy, just, and sacred Three

Are terrors to my mind.

But if Immanuel's face appear,

My hope, my joy begins;

His name forbids my slavish fear,

His grace removes my sins.

While many on their works rely,

Others of wisdom boast,

I love th' incarnate mystery,

And there I fix my trust.