THE FAMILY ALTAR

September 30.

"Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and right-

eousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:30.

Poor as we Christians may be in the goods of this world, we

are rich, unspeakably rich, in spiritual treasures that far excel all

the prized possessions of earthly-minded men and abide forever.

God in His wonderful mercy Himself has made us so rich in Christ

Jesus, our blessed Savior. We are rich in wisdom; for we know

the true and only satisfactory answer to that all-important ques-

tion : "What must I do to be saved ?" Jesus tells us : "

." We

are rich, abundantly rich, in righteousness before the just and holy

God, and no more fear His wrath on account of our sins. In Jesus

we have the righteousness that availeth before God, even the for-

giveness of sins, and may joyfully sing: "Jesus, Thy blood and

righteousness, My beauty are, my glorious dress. Midst flaming

worlds, in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head." And

0 blessed, 0 glorious riches! Jesus is made our sanctification.

Though out of love for our dear Savior we daily strive to lead a

virtuous, holy life, yet we realize how deficient our Christian con-

duct is, and know that all our own righteousness and holiness is as

filthy rags before that holy God in whose sight even the holy angels

are not pure. But here is Jesus with His perfect and vicarious

keeping of the Law. He is ours by faith. So His perfect holiness

is ours, and we can rejoice with the apostle : "There is, therefore,

now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Though

we must all through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of

God, yet how rich we are ! For Jesus is our redemption; He will

deliver us from all evil and take us through a blessed death into

His everlasting realms of glory. There He will wipe away all tears

from our eyes, and we shall rejoice in His presence forevermore.

Knowing all this, how should we ever give up our faith and love

in Jesus?