the desire of ages-第111章
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The only condition upon which the freedom of man is possible is that of becoming one with Christ。 〃The truth shall make you free；〃 and Christ is the truth。 Sin can triumph only by enfeebling the mind； and destroying the liberty of the soul。 Subjection to God is restoration to one's self；to the true glory and dignity of man。 The divine law； to which we are brought into subjection； is 〃the law of liberty。〃 James 2：12。
The Pharisees had declared themselves the children of Abraham。 Jesus told them that this claim could be established only by doing the works of Abraham。 The true children of Abraham would live； as he did； a life of obedience to God。 They would not try to kill One who was speaking the truth that was given Him from God。 In plotting
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against Christ； the rabbis were not doing the works of Abraham。 A mere lineal descent from Abraham was of no value。 Without a spiritual connection with him； which would be manifested in possessing the same spirit； and doing the same works； they were not his children。
This principle bears with equal weight upon a question that has long agitated the Christian world；the question of apostolic succession。 Descent from Abraham was proved； not by name and lineage； but by likeness of character。 So the apostolic succession rests not upon the transmission of ecclesiastical authority； but upon spiritual relationship。 A life actuated by the apostles' spirit； the belief and teaching of the truth they taught； this is the true evidence of apostolic succession。 This is what constitutes men the successors of the first teachers of the gospel。
Jesus denied that the Jews were children of Abraham。 He said； 〃Ye do the deeds of your father。〃 In mockery they answered； 〃We be not born of fornication； we have one Father； even God。〃 These words； in allusion to the circumstances of His birth； were intended as a thrust against Christ in the presence of those who were beginning to believe on Him。 Jesus gave no heed to the base insinuation； but said； 〃If God were your Father； ye would love Me： for I proceeded forth and came from God。〃
Their works testified of their relationship to him who was a liar and a murderer。 〃Ye are of your father the devil；〃 said Jesus； 〃and the lusts of your father it is your will to do。 He was a murderer from the beginning； and stood not in the truth； because there is no truth in him。 。 。 。 Because I say the truth； ye believe Me not。〃 John 8：44； 45； R。 V。 The fact that Jesus spoke the truth； and that with certainty； was why He was not received by the Jewish leaders。 It was the truth that offended these self…righteous men。 The truth exposed the fallacy of error； it condemned their teaching and practice； and it was unwelcome。 They would rather close their eyes to the truth than humble themselves to confess that they had been in error。 They did not love the truth。 They did not desire it； even though it was truth。
〃Which of you convicteth ＇Revised Version＇ Me of sin？ And if I say the truth； why do ye not believe Me？〃 Day by day for three years His enemies had been following Christ； trying to find some stain in His character。 Satan and all the confederacy of evil had been seeking to overcome Him； but they had found nothing in Him by which to gain an advantage。 Even the devils were forced to confess； 〃Thou art the Holy One of God。〃 Mark 1：24。 Jesus lived the law in the sight of heaven； in the
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sight of unfallen worlds； and in the sight of sinful men。 Before angels； men； and demons； He had spoken； unchallenged； words that from any other lips would have been blasphemy： 〃I do always those things that please Him。〃
The fact that although they could find no sin in Christ the Jews would not receive Him proved that they themselves had no connection with God。 They did not recognize His voice in the message of His Son。 They thought themselves passing judgment on Christ； but in rejecting Him they were pronouncing sentence upon themselves。 〃He that is of God；〃 said Jesus； 〃heareth God's words： ye therefore hear them not； because ye are not of God。〃
The lesson is true for all time。 Many a man who delights to quibble； to criticize； seeking for something to question in the word of God； thinks that he is thereby giving evidence of independence of thought； and mental acuteness。 He supposes that he is sitting in judgment on the Bible； when in truth he is judging himself。 He makes it manifest that he is incapable of appreciating truths that originate in heaven； and that compass eternity。 In presence of the great mountain of God's righteousness； his spirit is not awed。 He busies himself with hunting for sticks and straws； and in this betrays a narrow and earthly nature； a heart that is fast losing its capacity to appreciate God。 He whose heart has responded to the divine touch will be seeking for that which will increase his knowledge of God； and will refine and elevate the character。 As a flower turns to the sun； that the bright rays may touch it with tints of beauty； so will the soul turn to the Sun of Righteousness； that heaven's light may beautify the character with the graces of the character of Christ。
Jesus continued； drawing a sharp contrast between the position of the Jews and that of Abraham： 〃Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day： and he saw it； and was glad。〃
Abraham had greatly desired to see the promised Saviour。 He offered up the most earnest prayer that before his death he might behold the Messiah。 And he saw Christ。 A supernatural light was given him； and he acknowledged Christ's divine character。 He saw His day； and was glad。 He was given a view of the divine sacrifice for sin。 Of this sacrifice he had an illustration in his own experience。 The command came to him； 〃Take now thy son； thine only son Isaac； whom thou lovest； 。 。 。 and offer him 。 。 。 for a burnt offering。〃 Gen。 22：2。
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Upon the altar of sacrifice he laid the son of promise； the son in whom his hopes were centered。 Then as he waited beside the altar with knife upraised to obey God； he heard a voice from heaven saying； 〃Lay not thine hand upon the lad； neither do thou anything unto him： for now I know that thou fearest God； seeing thou hast not withheld thy son； thine only son from Me。〃 Gen。 22：12。 This terrible ordeal was imposed upon Abraham that he might see the day of Christ； and realize the great love of God for the world； so great that to raise it from its degradation； He gave His only…begotten Son to a most shameful death。
Abraham learned of God the greatest lesson ever given to mortal。 His prayer that he might see Christ before he should die was answered。 He saw Christ； he saw all that mortal can see； and live。 By making an entire surrender； he was able to understand the vision of Christ； which had been given him。 He was shown that in giving His only…begotten Son to save sinners from eternal ruin； God was making a greater and more wonderful sacrifice than ever man could make。
Abraham's experience answered the question： 〃Wherewith shall I come before the Lord； and bow myself before the high God？ Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings； with calves of a year old？ Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams； or with ten thousands of rivers of oil？ shall I give my first…born for my transgression； the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul？〃 Micah 6：6； 7。 In the words of Abraham； 〃My son； God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering；〃 （Gen。 22：8）； and in God's provision of a sacrifice instead of Isaac； it was declared that no man could make expiation for himself。 The pagan system of sacrifice was wholly unacceptable to God。 No father was to offer up his son or his daughter for a sin offering。 The Son of God alone can bear the guilt of the world。
Through his own suffering； Abraham was enabled to behold the Saviour's mission of sacrifice。 But Israel would not understand that which was so unwelcome to their proud hearts。 Christ's words concerning Abraham conveyed to His hearers no deep significance。 The Pharisees saw in them only fresh ground for caviling。 They retorted with a sneer； as if they would prove Jesus to be a mad
