July 17

In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7.

What we could not earn we received as a gift. Since we could not offer God true righteousness, He offered it to us and justified us freely by His grace. Because our best works are, at the best, but imperfect and counterfeit money, therefore the Lord says: "Come ye, buy, and eat without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1. What though the rich man offer a loaf of bread to a starving beggar for money, if that poor beggar has not even a cent to pay with? No; the rich man must give it, for nothing, without money and without price. And salvation is free; "it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8. This certainly gives all the glory to God alone!

So long as the salvation of Christ is preached in such a man-

ner as to allow room for people to think that there is something in them to commend them to God, or that in some way they can do something to render themselves fit subjects for salvation, so long they are left to think themselves in the possession of some money. But when Christ is so preached as to make Him all and to leave man utterly penniless, then the self-righteous thoughts of many hearts become manifest, because it makes them real beggars before God and gives all the glory for their justification to God alone. Justification is "freely by His grace." So we read Romans 3:23. 24: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." This, assuredly, gives all the glory to God alone.

However, just this "without money and without price," solely "through the riches of His grace," is so very offensive to the pride of natural man. But as soon as people know that they have no righteousness of their own before God, they will listen to the sweet message of the Gospel which offers salvation "freely by His grace." They will cling to Christ with all their heart.

Prayer.

O Lord, Thine honor and Thy service, which tends to Thy praise, I always have in view; therefore, O dear Lord, do not regard my unworthiness, but graciously consider that I am in great need of Thy help. Thou art the true and the only Help of sinners. Thy honor is to be advanced by all and everywhere. O Lord Jesus Christ, I am a poor sinner and cannot redeem or save myself; but Thou hast redeemed me by Thy bitter suffering and death; Thou wast taken prisoner, bound, mocked, and spitefully entreated; Thou wast falsely accused, beaten with many stripes, condemned and hanged on the cross for me; Thou hast wrought a perfect forgiveness for me, so that I am justified before God for Thy sake. Honor and praise be to Thy holy name forever and ever! Amen.

Glory be to God most high, Glory to the Savior, Glory to the Holy Ghost, Now, henceforth, forever.---