Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us. The manner of our deliverance is this: in our place He bore our sins and the curse which came of it. As many as Christ died for are forever free from the curse of the Law, for when the Law comes to curse a man who believes in Christ, he says, “What have I to do with you, O Law? You say, ‘I will curse you,’ but I reply, ‘You have cursed Christ instead of me. Can you curse twice for one offense?’” Here is the sure foundation: deliverance from the curse is by a process similar to that by which slaves are set free, namely, by their being bought with a price. God has given commandment to save you and you shall be saved, deliver him from going down to the Pit. I have found a ransom.
Rest, you weary one, for your sins are forgiven. Rise, you lame man, lame through lack of faith, for your transgression is covered. Rise from the dead, you corrupt one, rise, like Lazarus from the tomb, for Jesus calls you! Believe and live.
It would be a great error to suppose that our afflictions do not come from the Lord, or that they are not part of His wise and loving discipline. Our afflictions may come distinctly from man, as the result of persecution or malice, and yet they may come with even greater certainty from the Lord and may be the necessary outcome of His special love to us. For this reason we may wisely moderate our anger against second causes. Surely there is nothing better for a man of God than to perceive that his smarts and sorrows come from his Father's hand, for then he will say, “The will of the Lord be done.” God had one Son without sin, but He never had a son without sorrow, and He never will while the world stands! Let us, therefore, bless God for all His dealings and, in a filial spirit, confess, “You, Lord, have chastened me.” O Believer, never let anything drive you away from this confidence, for it has sure truth for its foundation! The Lord is good and His mercy endures forever. It is not killing, but curing, that God means when He takes the sharp lancet in His hands. Like a careful dispenser, He will not pour out a drop too little or too much.
We very speedily care for bodily diseases; they are too painful to let us slumber in silence: and they soon urge us to seek a physician or a surgeon for our healing. Yet know this: deliverance from the power of sin is as much the work of God as deliverance from the guilt of sin. If He has delivered us from the powers of darkness, He will deliver us all the way through. If He has done this great thing for us, what will He not do for us? If He has delivered us from the tremendous power of sin, He will certainly deliver us from the power of death. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. There is a balm, there is a physician who can heal all these natural wounds, who can give joy to the troubled countenance, take the furrow from the brow, wipe the tear from the eye, remove the agitation from the bosom, and calm the heart now swelling with grief. So that a true prayer from one who is near unto the gates of death is a prevailing prayer.
I have broken the bonds from his neck and set him free by an immense price which I, Myself, have found, found it in My own bosom where My only-begotten and well-beloved Son was lying. I found it in Myself, for I have given up Myself to bleed and die for mortal men. Sinner, do not doubt your deliverance, for God has said it, “I have found a ransom.” And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions.