December 24

The just shall live by his faith. — HAB. ii. 4.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. — JOHN iii. 18.

THE issues of the final judgment are anticipated and virtually determined in this world. Character is the key to destiny. Faith and salvation, unbelief and condemnation, are severally united in the eternal fitness of things.

The believer is not judged. He is passed from death unto life. He has accepted the proffered remedy as the bitten Israelites did when they looked on the serpent of brass.

Judgment is for those who believe not. Sin has wages; those who choose to abide in it and who reject the Saviour pronounce sentence on themselves. Primarily, it is not Christ who condemns them; they have been judged already. The quality and measure of their guilt are shown in this cumulative indictment: they believe not on Jesus, the Son of God, the only begotten, who is most high in the glory of God the Father, and besides whom there is no other deliverer.

"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" But if we accept it, if we humbly urge our title to that blessed estate for which there is no judgment, we can vindicate our hope only by walking in the light and making our deeds manifest that they are wrought in God.

T. Ralston Smith.

Believe in him who died for thee,

And sure as he hath died,

Thy debt is paid, thy soul is free,

And thou art justified.

C. WESLEY.