Gold Nugget 145 - Like Rust

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      Though the vessel be taken out of the damp atmosphere which first corroded it, it does not become bright.  The rust is still on it. 

      We may try to make amends in the future, but by such means we cannot get rid of the guilt and the consequences of the past. … It is not like dust that lies loosely on the surface; it has cut into our nature like rust.  Our feeble self-discipline is ineffectual for removing so close-clinging an evil. … “It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin”.  Such sacrifices can be but symbols at the best. …

      As “the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world,” Christ not only brings pardon, he produces purity.  His mighty arm scours the rust off the soul. 

      This was a weary task for Christ.  Even he found it no easy work.  It required the humiliation of Bethlehem, the agony of Gethsemane, and the death of Calvary.  Christ toiled, suffered, and grew weary unto death in the awful task.  Yet he persevered to the end.

      Christ invites us to abandon our useless, weary task and come to him for cleansing.  It is especially to those who labour and are heaven laden with sin that he gives his great invitation.

 

The Pulpit Commentary, Ezekiel II p.36, Ezekiel 24:12, (W. F. Adeney)

See also Hebrews 10:4 and Matthew 11:28-30

 

Gold Nugget 145

Like Rust

 

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