"And thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins." --- Matthew 1:21.
Sin is the deadliest foe we have; it cast our first parents out of paradise; it defaced God's image in man; it brought pain, sickness, and death into the world, and a spiritual death into the soul; it causes a distance from God, and a dislike to his holy ways; it gives Satan an interest in, and a power over, mankind; it once drowned the world, and will destroy it at last; it exposes body and soul to the just judgment of a holy God, and will sink every unpardoned offender ino everlasting destruction. How is this deadly foe to be conquered? How is this fretting leprosy to be cleansed?
Reader, be careful in this matter, and seek after a remedy that will be lasting and efficacious. Duties, prayers, tears, sacrifices, morality and partial reformations, avail nothing in this case; all below Christ Jesus will prove physicians of no value. Jesus is the only Saviour; God the Father sent him into the world to save sinners; his name declares the same; he is "called Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins:" his blood is the only atonement for sin; this sprinkled upon the heart by the Spirit, and apprehended by faith, removes the guilt and curse of sin, and speaks pardon and peace; his grace breaks the power of sin, and turns our former love to it into utter hatred of it; thus is holiness secured in the heart and walk, as well as peace in conscience.
He will save from the very being of sin, after the conflict between the spirit and the flesh is over; his people are all that believe in him, and depend upon him for pardon, peace and everlasting salvation. In that happy number, reader, may you and I be found; may we be enabled to look to him, to receive him as our Lord Jesus, able and willing to be saved to the very uttermost. And may we walk as the redeemed of the Lord, in righteousness and true holiness, all the days of our life. Amen.
Behold, for me the Victim bleeds,
His wounds are opened wide;
For me the blood of sprinkling pleads,
And speaks me justified.