sins are called “sins.” A goat, for instance, was offered for sin, a ram, anything; the victim
itself which was offered for sin was called “sin.” A sacrifice for sin then was called “sin;” so
that in one place the Law says, “That the Priests are to lay their hands upon the sin.”4013
“Him” then, “who knew no sin, He made sin for us;” that is, “He was made a sacrifice for
sin.” Sin was offered, and sin was cancelled. The Blood of the Redeemer was shed, and the
debtor’s bond was cancelled. This is the “Blood, That was shed for many for the remission
of sins.”4014
6. What meaneth this then thy senseless exultation, O thou that didst hold me captive,
for that my Deliverer had mortal Flesh? See, if He had sin; if thou hast found anything of
thine in Him, hold Him fast. “The Word was made Flesh.”4015 The Word is the Creator,
the Flesh His creature. What is there here of thine, O enemy? And the Word is God, and
His Human4016 Soul is His creature, and His Human Flesh His creature, and the Mortal
Flesh of God is His creature. Seek for sin here. But what art thou seeking? The Truth saith,
“The prince of this world shall come, and shall find nothing in Me.”4017 He did not therefore
not find Flesh, but nothing of his own, that is, no sin. Thou didst deceive the innocent, thou
madest them guilty. Thou didst slay the Innocent; thou destroyedst Him from whom thou
hadst nothing due, render back what thou didst hold fast. Why then didst thou exult for a
short hour, because thou didst find in Christ mortal Flesh? It was thy trap: whereupon thou
didst rejoice, thereby hast thou been taken. Wherein thou didst exult that thou hadst found
something, therein thou sorrowest now that thou hast lost what thou didst possess. Therefore,
brethren, let us who believe in Christ, continue in His word. For if we shall continue in His
word, we are His disciples indeed. For not those twelve only, but all we who continue in His
word are His disciples indeed. And “we shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall free us;”
that is, Christ the Son of God who hath said, “I am the Truth,”4018 shall make you free, that
is, shall free you, not from barbarians, but from the devil; not from the captivity of the body,
but from the iniquity of the soul. It is He Only who freeth in such wise. Let no one call
himself free, lest he remain a slave. Our soul shall not remain in bondage, for that day by
day our debts are forgiven.
4013 Lev. iv. 29, Sept.
4014 Matt. xxvi. 28.
4015 John i. 14.
4016 Hominis.
4017 John xiv. 30.
4018 John xiv. 6.
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On the words of the Gospel, John viii. 31, ‘If ye abide in my word, then…