CanTherebeUnity
hate him? Yet this is what Jesus has done for us. "God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." [Romans 5:8] Ask all the tribes of mankind, from one end of the world to the other, and you will nowhere hear of a deed like this. No one was ever so exalted and stooped down so low as Jesus the Son of God: no one ever gave so costly a proof of his friendship; no one ever paid so much and endured so much to do good to others. Never was there such a friend as Jesus Christ! 3. Do we want "a mighty and powerful friend?" Such a friend is Jesus Christ Power to help is that which few possess in this world. Many have the desire to do good to others, but no power. They feel for the sorrows of others, and would gladly relieve them if they could: they can weep with their friends in distress, but are unable to take their grief away. But though man is weak, Christ is strong—though the best of our earthly friends is feeble, Christ is almighty: Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." [Matthew 28:18] No one can do so much for those whom He helps as Jesus Christ. Others can help their bodies a little: He can help both body and soul. Others can do a little for them for a time: He can be a friend both for time and eternity. (a) He is "able to pardon" and save the very chief of sinners. He can deliver the most guilty conscience from all its burdens, and give it perfect peace with God. He can wash away the vilest stains of wickedness, and make a man's soul whiter than snow in the sight of God. He can clothe a poor weak child of Adam in everlasting righteousness, and give him a title to heaven that can never be overthrown. In a word, He can give anyone of us peace, hope, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God, if we will only trust in Him. "The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." [1 John 1:7]
(b) He is "able to convert" the hardest of hearts, and create in man a new spirit. He can take the most thoughtless and ungodly people, and give them another mind by the Holy Spirit which He puts in them. He can cause old things to pass away, and everything to become new. He can make them love the things which they once hated, and hate the things they once loved. "[He can give] the right to become children of God." "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" [John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17] (c) He is "able to preserve" to the end all who believe in Him, and become His disciples. He can give them grace to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil, and fight a good fight to the end. He can lead them on safely in spite of every temptation, carry them home through a thousand dangers, and keep them faithful, though they stand alone and have no one to help them. "He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him." [Hebrews 7:25] (d) He is "able to give" those that love Him the best of gifts. He can give them in life inward comforts, which money can never buy— peace in poverty, joy in sorrow, patience in suffering. He can give them bright hopes in death, which enable them to walk through the dark valley without fear. After death He can give them a crown of glory, which never fades, and a reward which no King or country on earth could ever match. This is power indeed: this is true greatness; this is real strength. Go and look at the poor Hindu idolater, seeking peace in vain by afflicting his body; and, after fifty years of self-imposed suffering, was still unable to find it. Go and look at the blind Roman Catholic, giving money to his priest to pray for his soul, and yet dying without salvation. Go and look at rich men, spending thousands in search of happiness, and yet always discontented and unhappy. Then turn to Jesus, and think what He can do, and is daily doing for all who trust Him. Think how He heals all the broken-hearted, comforts all the sick, cheers all the poor that trust in Him, and supplies all their daily