"Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth:for in these things I delight, saith the Lord" (Jer. 9:23, 24).

"To wit, that "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:19, 20).

To know God is the sum total of all real and lasting peace and joy in this life, and also in the world to come. "That I may know Him," was the great desire of the apostle Paul, as he pressed forward day by day toward the final goal when he would be with Christ and like Him forevermore.

The "unknown God" is still being worshiped, not only in heathen countries, but in these more highly-favored lands where we have so many places of worship (so-called), and there are so many who profess to be ambassadors of Christ who, alas, are sadly misrepresenting Him whom they profess to serve.

"God in Christ!" What a revelation of Him who in former times dwelt in thick darkness, as far as man finding Him out was concerned, yet in "light which no man can approach."

No man could find out God by searching; Israel never knew Him to perfection; but in these last days. He has been pleased in grace to reveal Himself in the person of our blessed Lord.

See Him sitting by that well weary with His journey, and sending away the disciples to buy meat. Yes, He would not have them with Him at this time, for He is going to meet a poor forlorn woman living in open sin, and would not expose her in their presence. No, He would expose her to herself alone. See how tenderly He deals with her! "Give Me to drink." Notice how surprised she is as she replies, "How is it that Thou being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?"' "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee." Ah, yes, who it is. That was the wonder of wonders! She was in the presence of GOD and knew it not. Because He was not imputing her trespasses unto her!

Have we not all been ignorant of God in our lives?- "Such were some of you"-but our eyes have been opened to see a Man that told us all things that ever we did, and that Man was God manifest in flesh. Blessed revelation !

"O God, we see Thee in the Lamb,
To be our hope, our joy, our rest;
The glories that compose Thy name
Standing engaged to make us blest."

See in John 8 a woman brought to Him who had been taken in the act of breaking one of God's holy commandments. There was not a loophole of escape for her; the two or three witnesses that the Law called for are there and more than willing to testify against her. What will this One do who has been called Emmanuel, "God with us?" If He does not impute her trespasses, then He is not a just God; if He does, then He is not a Saviour. There we have the horns of the dilemma.

What will He do? Will He come out of His chariot of mercy at this time? Will He command all the thunders of Sinai to fall on her sinful head? They are incessant in their demand. He must act. See Him stooping down and writing on the ground as though He heard them not. What was that writing? I give this as a suggestion, "Not imputing trespasses." So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself and said, "He that is without sin among YOU, let him first cast a stone at her."

"And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground." How He stooped down from the glory of God to write largely all His life through in this world of ours, not imputing trespasses. Out of His chariot of mercy He will not come.

"He did not come to judge the world,
He did not come to blame;
Not only did He come to seek,
It was to save He came;
And when we call Him Saviour,
We call Him by His name."

See all the accusers file out of His holy presence, from the eldest to the youngest. Yes, Sinai was no place for them either. All had earned those "wages of sin, death," and conscience at Sinai says with Moses, "I exceedingly fear and quake" (Heb. 12:21).

"Woman, where are thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn thee:go, and sin no more."

" 'Neither do I condemn thee,'
Oh, sing it o'er and o'er;
'Neither do I condemn thee,
Go, and sin no more.'"

"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing trespasses unto them!"

Again we see that blessed One hanging on the cross. By His side is one who had lived so badly, that men believed he was a menace to human society, and so they are putting him out of the world by the way of the cross. He has only six more hours to live. Listen to his own declaration as he hangs there, "I am getting what I deserve." There is no blaming judge or jury, no complaining of not having a good enough lawyer to plead his cause. He has not a word in self-defense. What can he now look forward to? Nothing but the wrath of a sin-hating God. But another cry is on his lips as he turns to Him who was to him now, not a malefactor, but his Lord-"Lord, remember me when Thou comest in Thy kingdom!" What will be the answer? If He forgives this man He cannot expect to send him away like the woman of Samaria, or the woman of the eighth of John, to live an amended life. No, this man has no time to prove that he loveth much because he has been forgiven much. Hearken to the voice of "Him who spake as never man spake." He started His marvelous ministry with words of grace, will He finish His ministry with them too ? Yes, bless His Holy Name forever, He changes not-"To-day shalt thou be with ME in paradise!" "Not imputing trespasses unto them."

"Hanging in Thy shame and anguish,
Words of love and grace
Welcome the forgiven felon,
To thy holiest place.

Guide Thy mother broken-hearted,
To a home of rest,
Comfort him who yester-even
Lay upon Thy breast."

He "hath committed unto us the ministry of reconciliation." May we be true to our trust, and as true ambassadors, seek to spread the glory of His grace until traveling days are done. A. H. Stewart