In determining the exact point of the truth that is to be omitted from the Satanic counterfeit, it is important to distinguish between the Person and work of Christ.  In the one is included His teachings and example, both in His life and death:  in the other is included His substitutionary, sacrificial, and atoning death for the sin of the world.  There is no controversy as to the value of the teachings and example of Jesus; but the wisdom of this world is displayed in ever-increasing antagonism against the blood of the Cross.  This enmity has never been founded on the Word of God, for Scripture does not deny itself.  The opposition appeals to pride and human reason, and dares to challenge the plain statements of Scripture on this particular point.  Very much is thus omitted; for all the meaning of sacrifice in the Old Testament and all the promises of redemption in the New Testament, are inseparably related to the blood of the Cross.  It may be to the Jew a stumbling block, and to the Greek foolishness; yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, “it is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

In Ephesians, the eternal purpose of God is said to be the complete perfection of souls:  “According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (1:4).  And that transformation is also said to be by the blood of Christ:  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (1:7).  In like manner the object of this transformation is said to be that the Church may be the present and eternal manifestation of the wisdom, love and power of God:  “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (3:10).  “That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (2:7).  “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies” (1:19, 20).

There is also a strong contrast of figures used in the Old Testament which accurately emphasizes the mighty power of the Creator in the regeneration of a soul.  In Psalm 8:3 the creation of the solar system is mentioned as the work of the fingers of God:  “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained,” but in Isa. 53:1, where the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ is referred to, it is spoken of as the effort of the Creator’s arm:  “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” The suggestion here given, that the creation of a universe is the work of His fingers, and the regeneration of souls is the work of His mighty arm, is not overdrawn; for the price of redemption cannot be measured by corruptible things, such as gold and silver:  but is purchased at the price of the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (I Pet. 1:19).