God’s Wisdom in Redemption (4)

W S Plumer

1. its effects. We may also see the wisdom of God in redemption manifested also in

(1.) We have seen how it harmonises God’s perfections; let us see how it illustrates them. In the cross we have the strongest possible expression of benevolence. The infinite dignity of the Sufferer, the unparalleled humiliation He underwent, the low state of those He would save, and the utter impossibility of ever adequately requiting His love, all show the amazing extent of God’s compassion. If any ever doubted God’s hatred of sin, all such uncertainty comes to a full end at Calvary. If God would not spare His own Son, when He suffered, the Just for the unjust, surely He is the awful and determined enemy of all unrighteousness. The scheme of saving mercy shows at once the greatest love to the sinner and the strongest abhorrence of His sins. “Christ was no partisan with the sinner against the law.” In like

¹Another edited extract from Plumer’s The Rock of Our Salvation; last month’s main point was: “God’s wisdom shines out in redemption, as His plan reconciles all His attributes”.

manner it would be easy to show how God’s truth, faithfulness, power and all His perfections are displayed in redemption.

(2.) The influence of redemption on holy angels is both great and benign. It affords them the most wonderful theme of inquiry. They desire to look into it. It gives them new and delightful employment. They minister to the heirs of salvation. It gives them a new Head. Though Christ is not their Saviour, He is their Lord. It brings them and men into relations of friendship and brotherhood, so that they make one family in heaven and earth. It gives them great and new sources of joy. They are glad with exceeding joy when a sinner repents (Lk 15:10). Nor have they any theme for songs so sublime as those concerning salvation.

(3.) To man the effects of redemption are glorious and elevating. He who is saved from death should be most of all struck with his deliverance – most of all drawn towards his Deliverer. None are so changed by redemption as the redeemed themselves. They pass from the lowest depths to the greatest heights; from just, perfect and awful condemnation to full, free and irrepealable justification; from a state of the lowest depravity to a state of purity and holiness fitting them for fellowship with God; from a state of misery that cannot be conceived by sinless creatures to a state of comfort and joy unspeakable; from a state of fearful estrangement from a holy God and holy angels to a state of lasting friendship with their Maker and all right-minded creatures. The bond which binds them to God and to angels binds them also to one another, for ever.

1. How futile are all schemes of man’s devising for securing the favour of God and his own happiness. None of them reach the real evils in his case. They do not dispose of sin, either in its power or guilt or pollution.

2. How vain are all objections to the gospel drawn from the feeble, erring, sinful soul of man! Never is man more a fool or a transgressor than when he sits in judgement on this greatest plan and work of God. Did any wise man ever undertake to show how God could have more fitly formed the dove, the eagle or the horse? Yet many a prating simpleton undertakes to tell the world how he would like the plan of salvation, God’s greatest work, to be arranged.

3. How attractive is the character of Jesus Christ! He is a perfect Saviour. Some have made the suggestion that He might have rescued many from sin and wrath without so full and frequent and amazing acts of condescension. But who ever taught that He ought to have given higher evidences of compassion and tenderness? All the redeemed join in praising Him, unite in crowning Him, contend in the strife of extolling Him. Matchless Redeemer! None among all the sons of the mighty, none among the holy angels, can compare with Thee.

4. If any desire a rich, pure, exalted, inexhaustible theme of study and inquiry, he has it in the redemption wrought out by Christ. He need go no further. Here the holy angels all stop and bow and worship.

5. The unconverted ought to feel a lively and profound interest in the work of Christ: It mightily concerns them to know something of its wonders. If they ever find life or peace, it must be here. In Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). In Him is life, and the life is the light of men.

6. Children of God, rejoice and obey. “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor 6:20). Give Him all. Keep back nothing that can honour Him. Hear the voice of mercy whispering good counsels to your souls. Present your whole selves a living sacrifice to Him and let the love of God, like holy fire, come down and consume you. Do not be straitened in your charity. Do not be slothful in your labours of love. Do not be cold in your zeal for the Master. “Be ye . . . enlarged.”