The proclamation of liberty and the unpardonable sin

Front matter

ImmJ^

B

B T

Preface

If the reader would know at once what is the central thought, — the all-absorbing theme, — the body, soul and spirit of this book, it is summed up in the final words of our dying Lord, ''It is finished." This is an effort to reveal something of the unsearchable riches of redemption declared finished in these three tragic but triumphant words.

For four thousand years the God of all grace labored to focus men's eyes on the facts of this finished work. Every bleeding lamb from Eden's gate to Golgotha's grave foreshadowed that momentous hour. And when that hour is passed, a new symbol — the blood of the grape and the broken bread — points back to that same solemn hour. That which an all-wise God has tried, in all ages, by all means, to get all men to see, must be in His mind all-important.

The great apostle to the Gentiles comprehended more clearly than other men the fullness of that finished work. To his Corinthian converts he declared his working creed in this brief sentence : "I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." With this truth came an enthusiasm which neither shipwreck nor starving, scourging nor stoning could destroy.

O for more such ''chief of sinners" saved by grace, whom a backsliding Barnabas, a dissembling Simon, or a departing Demas cannot discourage ; whom modern commercialism, or criticism, or creedism cannot conquer!

Though dealing with deep things, the author has striven at every step to make the path so plain that the

6 PREFACE

feeblest wayfarer may find the way. At the same time it is hoped that the devoted student, famihar with the controversies of Calvinism, Universalism and Arminianism, may find in these pages some helpful thoughts.

With rejoicing this book is sent forth as a companion to "Power for Witnessing," and the author prays that it may reveal to some waiting soul the gospel truth that he need wait no longer for full salvation, but may now, by faith, take this gift already given through that work of Christ of which He declared with His final breath, "It is finished."

"Then doubt not thy welcome since God has declared There remaineth no more to be done; That once in the end of the world He appeared, And completed the work He begun,"

What Is the Unpardonable Sin? .