Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 45

"But _now is Christ risen from the dead_, and become the first-fruits of them that slept." Verse 20.

15. What great truth therefore follows?

"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Verse 22.

16. What cheering message has Christ sent to His people touching His resurrection?

"I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, _I am alive forevermore_, Amen; _and have the keys of h.e.l.l and of death_." Rev. 1:18.

17. What is the measure of the power of G.o.d which believers may experience in their daily lives?

"That ye may know ... the exceeding greatness of His power to us ward who believe, _according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead_." Eph. 1:18-20.

18. What Christian ordinance has been given as a memorial of Christ's burial and resurrection?

Baptism, the symbol of the new birth. Rom. 6:3-5.

A Sinless Life

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A Teacher Of Righteousness. "He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Heb. 4:15.

1. What testimony is borne concerning Christ's life on earth?

"_Who did no sin_, neither was guile found in His mouth." 1 Peter 2:22.

2. What is true of all other members of the human family?

"_For all have sinned_, and come short of the glory of G.o.d." Rom. 3:23.

3. With what question did Christ challenge His enemies?

"Which of you convinceth Me of sin?" John 8:46.

4. To what extent was Christ tempted?

"[He] was _in all points tempted like as we are_, yet without sin." Heb.

4:15.

5. In His humanity, of what nature did Christ partake?

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, _He also Himself likewise took part of the same_; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Heb. 2:14.

6. How fully did Christ share our common humanity?

"Wherefore _in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren_, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to G.o.d, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."

Verse 17.

NOTE.-In His humanity Christ partook of our sinful, fallen nature.

If not, then He was not "made like unto His brethren," was not "in all points tempted like as we are," did not overcome as we have to overcome, and is not, therefore, the complete and perfect Saviour man needs and must have to be saved. The idea that Christ was born of an immaculate or sinless mother, inherited no tendencies to sin, and for this reason did not sin, removes Him from the realm of a fallen world, and from the very place where help is needed.

On His human side, Christ inherited just what every child of Adam inherits-a sinful nature. On the divine side, from His very conception He was begotten and born of the Spirit. And all this was done to place mankind on vantage-ground, and to demonstrate that _in the same way_ every one who is "born of the Spirit" may gain like victories over sin in his own sinful flesh. Thus each one is to overcome _as Christ overcame_. Rev. 3:21. Without this birth there can be no victory over temptation, and no salvation from sin. John 3:3-7.

7. Where did G.o.d, in Christ, condemn sin, and gain the victory for us over temptation and sin?

"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, G.o.d sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, _condemned sin in the flesh_." Rom. 8:3.

NOTE.-G.o.d, in Christ, condemned sin, not by p.r.o.nouncing against it merely as a judge sitting on the judgment-seat, but by coming and living _in the flesh, in sinful flesh_, and yet without sinning.

In Christ, He demonstrated that it is possible, by His grace and power, to resist temptation, overcome sin, and _live a sinless life in sinful flesh_.

8. By whose power did Christ live the perfect life?

"I can of Mine own self do nothing." John 5:30. "The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but _the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works_." John 14:10.

NOTE.-In His humanity Christ was as dependent upon divine power to do the works of G.o.d as is any man to do the same thing. He employed no means to live a holy life that are not available to every human being. Through Him, every one may have G.o.d dwelling in him and working in him "to _will_ and to _do_ of His good pleasure." 1 John 4:15; Phil. 2:13.

9. What unselfish purpose did Jesus ever have before Him?

"For I came down from heaven, _not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me_." John 6:38.

Have I need of aught, O Saviour!

Aught on earth but Thee?

Have I any in the heavens, Any one but Thee?

Though I have of friends so many, Love, and gold, and health, If I have not Thee, my Saviour, Hold I any wealth?

CORIE F. DAVIS.

Our Pattern

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