BECAUSE GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US. This is the divine plan, that God gave His Son to die for us sinners and enemies. On the cross, the Lord Jesus made full satisfaction to divine justice for our sins. He suffered all that is necessary for our pardon and justification. His sacrifice is our expiation. What He did is offered to us in the gospel. By faith we receive it, rely on it, and plead it before God for our acceptance; we are accepted on account of it, and have peace with God. The atonement was made on Calvary; it accomplished all that God required, and He is satisfied: but it must be received by the sinner, if he is to have peace. We must daily exercise confidence in it, or we cannot walk with God. We have now received the atonement which we had not once. We did not feel our need of it. We did not see its value. We did not understand its nature. What a mercy that we do now! The death of Jesus is our life: "He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. He put away our sin by the sacrifice of himself. He is our peace." Let us never lose sight of His atoning sacrifice, or of his justifying righteousness; for if we do, Satan will prevail against us, guilt will soon fill us with gloom, duties will become irksome, and the prospect of death fearful.

For Meditation:
Christ has for sin atonement made,
What a wonderful Saviour!
We are redeemed, the price is paid,
What a wonderful Saviour!