”Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” | Galatians 1: 3-4

As the years roll along, I yearn more and more for that assurance that My sins are put out of God’s sight.

How is it that the holy Lord is pleased with me?

One word comes to view: HIMSELF. If I think on the grand doctrine of election, there is no comfort unless that word Himself appears. I must be careful not to be taken up with the doctrines of the gospel and leave Himself out. Doctrine is cold unless the person of our Lord Jesus Christ is uppermost therein.

He is all of salvation. He did not come merely to bring salvation, but He Himself is salvation. He loved me and gave Himself for me. He Himself is the good news. Eternal redemption is found in His life, death, and resurrection, and He is the gospel. Who His own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree. The only reason I am pleasing unto God is because of Himself.

Men say that we are cleansed by His blood and that is true, but it is only because that blood was a part of Himself. If we are chosen, we are chosen in Himself. There is no justification unless it is the righteousness of God in himself. Everything is bound up in the life and death of God’s dear son himself.

Not only is this true, but salvation must be in Himself alone.

He by Himself purged our sins. Every man to be saved must rest his whole soul upon Christ Himself.

Do not ever think a good thought about yourself.

Oh that every mouth might be stopped in talking about self. When we are brought to the place of ceasing to talk about ourselves, then, and only then, will we ever see the truth that once in the end of the world He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

If you have been brought to the place of a sinner who has nothing, knows nothing, can do nothing, then none but the Lord Jesus Himself will give you peace and rest.

You see, it is either yourself or Himself.

You would not really stand before the holy Lord God in yourself, would you?

This would be the height of insane depravity.

By the grace of God I have been enabled to say that it is Himself in totality.

~ Pastor Jack Shanks

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Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 18 May, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia