APRIL 3RD, 1945

APRIL 3RD, 1945

BELOVED BROTHER, — ... I believe that your connection of the two goats in Leviticus 16 with Romans 3 and 4 is a right interpretation, and cannot be questioned. But I should hesitate to say that He carried our sins into the grave, for this would imply that sins were still upon Him when He was buried. He bore our sins in His body on the tree, and I believe it was there that they were removed from God’s sight for ever. By one offering He has perfected in conscience the sanctified. Expiation, as I understand it, was not accomplished by burial, but by death and blood-shedding. And, as you have said, it is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses from all sin. It was necessary that He should be buried that the whole sentence on the fallen man might be borne vicariously, and also that life in the power of resurrection might be brought in, and made available for men in Him. His death is thus the starting point of all that is new as well as the end of all that is old.

Except for a few meetings in February, I have not been able to get to the Room since last October. It is a new experience for me, but it brings its own lessons and gains with it. And I do not feel out of things, for I am abundantly comforted by the love of the brethren, and kept in touch with all that is moving spiritually amongst them.

With much love in the Lord,

Yours affectionately in Him,