THE FAMILY ALTAR

October 4.

"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the

man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be tes-

tified in due time". 1 Tim. 2:5-6.

We sinners have to do in our reconciliation with the offended

God not with many gods of warring minds, but with one God of

one settled mind and purpose toward us. That is the one true God,

the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who declared His

firm will and purpose for our salvation by sending His only-begotten

Son into the world, by making Him our human flesh and blood

that He might ransom us, that is, buy our liberty from sin, death,

and hell with His holy, precious blood. He is God and man in

one person ; but the Apostle stresses the truth here that Jesus was

and is man, in order to kindle in us loving trust and confidence

in that one true God whose wonderful love spared not His own

Son, but in due time redeemed us from sin through Him. Outside

of Christ the holy God is a consuming fire for the sinner. In

Christ He is our pardoning and loving Father. Hence if we lost

sinners want to come to God and be saved, we must do so through

the one and only Mediator — Christ Jesus. Nothing and no one

can take Christ's place. No Mother Mary, no departed saints can

supplant Him; no sacrifices, no penances, no works of our own

can avail before God for our sins. Irrevocably and for all eternity

God, the one true God who alone can save us, has declared His

firm will and purpose to deal with the sinner, and pardon him,

and receive him back into His grace alone through His appointed

Mediator, Christ Jesus. Jew or Gentile, white or black, Eoman

Catholic or Protestant, millionaire or beggar, learned scientist or

uneducated rustic, — it matters not, man can be saved alone by

coming in faith to the one Mediator, Christ Jesus, who testifies

to all men: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man

cometh unto the Father but by Me."

Thou art the Way, to Thee alone

From sin and death we "flee;

And He who would the Father seek,

Must seek Him, Lord, by Thee.

Thou art the Truth, Thy Word alone

True wisdom can impart;

Thou only canst inform the mind

And purify the heart.

Thou art the Life, the rending tomb

Proclaims Thy conquering arm;

And those who put their trust in Thee

Nor death nor hell shall harm.