The Saviour's Will # 1

The Saviour's Will # 1

"For a will is in force only after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives" (Hebrews 9:17).

People who have property and riches, in the prospect of death, have long been in the habit of making a will, and bequeathing their riches, according to their pleasure, among their relations and friends. The will of the dead is considered sacred, and the executors are expected to perform their duty with fidelity and care.

The Lord Jesus Christ being in possession of unsearchable riches, and intending to bestow them upon a variety of classes of character; before He left this world to go unto the Father - made a will, and has left behind Him a will containing legacies of incalculable value! These legacies are payable upon application at the proper court, to each and every person entitled to them. The characters entitled are described, and the blessings to which they are entitled are stated with great clearness and perspiculty. The will is now put into our hands that we may make out our claim, apply for the blessings, and enjoy the blessings - to the praise of Him who has blessed us with His will.

1. The first class of beneficiaries, are those who have been guilty of crimes against the law, government, and majesty of God - who deserve to die, who are under sentence of death, and exposed to eternal wrath! All such characters discovering this to be their true condition, feeling alarm at their danger, and being willing frankly to confess their crimes - are promised a free, full, and everlasting pardon!

Jesus purchased a right to pardon, and in His will expresses His determination to give the pardons which He procured - to the vilest of the vile! If any man reflecting upon his conduct, surveying his thoughts, and examining his heart - finds that he has been a traitor from the beginning, and that even now his heart is the dwelling place of every abomination - yet even to such, a free pardon is promised upon confession! Through the infinite grace of the testator unto all such, is proclaimed "forgiveness of sins, and by Him, all who believe are justified from all things!" He says, "I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned against Me! He who confesses and forsakes his sin- shall find mercy."

he is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness! he has willed the pardon, and it shall be enjoyed upon application - not on account of anything felt, feared, or done by the applicant - but solely out of His great love, rich mercy, and sovereign favor!

Are you then, my reader - a poor, sinful, wretched, condemned sinner? Are you filled with fears of hell, and trembling at the wrath of God? Are you desirous of escaping the curse, and enjoying the favor of Jehovah? Are you willing, heartily to confess your guilt, and His justice in your condemnation? If so, they you are one of the people named in the will of Jesus, there is a certain pardon for you!

But do not give way to fear or doubt, nothing can be plainer than that you are warranted to expect to be forgiven all trespasses for Jesus' sake! The Father honors the will of Jesus - when He pardons such as you; and the Holy Spirit glorifies the Saviour when He delivers that pardon to the praying soul!

2. Another class of beneficiaries, are those who are stripped of self, and find themselves wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. To them - Jesus wills the gift of His perfect RIGHTEOUSNESS! He labored to fulfill the precept of the law, and died to pay its penalty; that He might produce a righteousness which would justify God in justifying an ungodly sinner. This righteousness is infinitely glorious, and answers all the claims of law and justice! It honors the divine government, and exalts the possessor to glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life! It is all that the law can demand, and just what a sinner needs.

This righteousness was Jesus' own working, and was therefore His own personal property - and he wills to every ungodly sinner who believes on His name. His Father is well-pleased with it, and has agreed that it shall be imputed to all, and be worn by all who have believed, without any difference.

~James Smith~

(continued with # 2)