25 December 2016

My dear readers,

1. His Wonderful Name - II

(Dr SH Tow, Reformation Banner Sept / Oct 1978)

But Justin continued to plead their cause. Publicly he declared, "Christians worship the one true God. Christ's Kingdom is not of this world. The state has nothing to fear. Christians are trustworthy and loyal citizens. Their lives speak for themselves. None can fail to notice the change in their conduct since they stopped worshipping idols and believed in Jesus Christ. See how honest, sincere, upright, compassionate, and law-abiding they are." The force of his arguments was such that no reasonable men could dispute.

Nevertheless, the Emperor remained unmoved. He passed a law making it a capital offence to confess the name of Jesus.

In the year 163 A.D. Justin and five of his fellow believers were arrested and brought before the judge. "Obey the gods and submit to the Emperor. Renounce the name of Jesus and you may go free."

Justin and his friends pleaded, "By confessing Christ we do no wrong. We remain loyal citizens of the state."

The judge was furious. "Your lives are in my hands. Can the name of Jesus save you."

Back came the calm reply. "You may kill our bodies, but you cannot harm our souls."

The judge was mad with rage. "I give you one last chance. Deny the name of Jesus or die!"

"Do what you will". Justin and his friends answered. "We shall not turn against our Lord."

The trial was over. Sentence was passed. The six brave men were led away to their death. Thus ended the earthly life of Justin Martyr, one of the great heroes of the Christian faith, but his soul lives on in the presence of the Lord Jesus, whose name he had loved to the end.

My friends, the Word of God says, "For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

May you too come and trust in the wonderful name of Jesus. (The end)

2. "One Mediator between God and men" 1 Timothy 2:5

(Daily Remembrancer, January 3 EVENING)

NO MAN CAN APPEAR FOR US BEFORE GOD BUT JESUS. He is God’s chosen and anointed Mediator. There is but one Mediator; man has invented more but God has appointed, revealed, and accepted but one. One is sufficient. Jesus alone is the Mediator of reconciliation. His atonement is infinite in its value and efficacy; it honoured the law, satisfied justice, and glorified all the perfections of God. It perfected for ever them that are sanctified. It is a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour unto God. On the ground of the one sacrifice of Jesus, sinners are received, pardoned, and accepted of God. Let nothing else engage your attention when seeking acceptance with God; go through Jesus, and Jesus only: however vile, however sinful you may be, there is reconciliation to God through the death of His Son. There is but one Mediator of intercession. One is sufficient. Jesus ever lives to make intercession. The Father always hears Him. We need no one to dispose his mind to pity, listen to, or plead for us; His nature is love: it is His office and work to save, and He delights in this. Therefore He is able to save them to the uttermost, who come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

He ever lives to intercede

Before His Father's face:

Give Him, my soul, thy cause to plead,

Nor doubt the Father's grace.

3. "Be ye reconciled to God" 2 Corinthians 5:20

(Daily Remembrancer, November 17 MORNING)

"GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF." Our Lord died for our sins and reconciled us to God. Is thereanything but love between God and your soul? There ought not to be. God hates nothing but sin. He is offended with nothing but sin. This we profess to hate and forsake. We were once enemies but Jesus died to reconcile us to God. We are now professedly friends, but do we act towards God and speak of God, as though we are His friends? Are we offended at anything in God, or at anything done by God? Why should we be? His nature is love. His ways are infinitely wise. His tender mercy is over all His works. He desires that we should be on the best terms with Him. How wonderful! He offers a pardon for all our sins, grace to sanctify our natures, and heaven to receive our souls! He beseeches us to be reconciled, as though His tender love could not rest, as though He could not be happy or content unless we are friends with Him. Beloved, are you living or walking at a distance from God? Is there any shyness between God and your soul? God beseeches you by me, and I pray you in Christ's stead, "Be ye reconciled to God."

Sprinkled now with blood the throne,

Why beneath thy burdens groan?

See the curse on Jesus laid;

Justice owns the ransom paid:

Bow the knee and kiss the Son.

Come and welcome, sinner, come!

Dear reader, "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor