January 14

"For it pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell." — Colossians 1:19.

SALVATION is to be viewed as the glorious work of a Triune Jehovah. Its contrivance is ascribed to the wisdom of the Father, its execution to the love of the Son, and its application to the grace of the Spirit. With regard to the fulness of Christ, let us contemplate

THE PLEASURE OF THE FATHER. "It pleased the Father." It was his will, and by his appointment. But why?

For the display of the Divine glory. In the varied works of the Almighty that we behold around us, we have, as it were, detached exhibitions of the light of his glorious perfections; but in the scheme of salvation, all the Divine attributes shine forth in one splendid constellation, presenting the Deity to our view in such a manner as cannot fail to excite our admiration, love, and praise. The fulness of Christ redounds to the glory of God: and thus the cross becomes a mirror, reflecting back again to the great Eternal the overflowings of his mercy, the firmness of his truth, the purity of his holiness, and the plenitude of his grace.

For the accomplishment of human redemption. Thus it is said, "It pleased the Father to bruise him." The pleasure was not in the act, but in the result of his sufferings. It pleases the Father when sinners come and enlist under the banners of the cross; when those who are impoverished by sin seek the unsearchable riches of Christ: when the miserable come for happiness, and the despairing for hope, and the graceless for grace. But he declares, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." Take encouragement, therefore, from the complacency of the Father, and be it your highest aim and chief desire, to escape the tempests of his wrath, to dread the clouds of his displeasure, and to enjoy the sunshine of his favor.

Hark! how from Calvary it sounds, From the Redeemer's bleeding wounds! "Pardon and grace I freely give; Poor sinner, look to me, and live."