Note | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 28, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 41.

Note.

ALL three of the above parables teach one thing, namely, God’s love for the erring. To the one who feels discouraged because of his sins,—who feels as though he were lost,—they speak courage, “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” All Heaven is interested in the salvation of fallen man, and this interest is shown in the fact that Christ died for the ungodly. The infinite power of God could do no more than has been done for man. And if God has thus shown his desire for us to return, will he not perfect that which concerneth us, if we will only allow him to work in us that which is good? “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8:32.

SATAN is a hard taskmaster. He promises fair, and holds out the most dazzling allurements to engage in his service. He dresses sin up in the most pleasing garb, and persuades us that in it we shall find pleasure and comfort. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 14:12. The pleasures of sin can be enjoyed but for a season, and cannot be really enjoyed at all, for at the best they are unsatisfying husks. The sinner can know real content, but is always in a state of unrest, always reaching out for something which recedes as he advances.

“AND when he came to himself:” How aptly this describes the condition of the awakened sinner. Sin is deceitful and stupefying. It benumbs the sensibilities. Because of this quality which it possesses, it causes the sinner to be satisfied with his pitiable state, and to say, “I am rich, and increased with goods,” while all the time he is “wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” One in such a condition may justly be called insane. Happy indeed is the one who comes to himself! Although he will not feel so well as he did when he fancied that he was rolling in wealth, he is really in a better case, because now he can take steps to better himself. The man who is acutely sensible of the bitter cold, although he may be suffering extreme pain, is far better off than the one who has been so benumbed by the frost that he lies down to peaceful sleep. The trouble with too many is that even a glance at their true condition reveals so much deformity that they turn away from the sight. They foolishly prefer to remain blind. Let us rather pray that our eyes may be anointed with eyesalve, that we may see.

“I WILL arise and go to my father.” This is the language of strong determination, without which no victories can be gained. If the prodigal son had sat still, and said, “I would like to have some of the bread which is in my father’s house,” he would have starved to death. Many are content with saying, “I want to overcome,” but they never do overcome. Such weak wishes are born of lack of trust in God. The prodigal son knew that in his father’s house there was bread enough and to spare, and he knew that his father dealt bountifully with all his servants. If he had not had confidence in his father’s willingness to give, he would not have started. It is not presumption for the sinner to say, “I will arise and go to my father;” I will overcome these sins which bind me; because Christ has overcome, and he has promised to strengthen us with “might by his Spirit.” The Father is looking for the lost ones, even before they think of him, and when they make a decided resolution in the name of Jesus, he will meet them. Then may not the weakest “be strong and of a good courage”? “If God be for us, who can be against us?”