God's Glorious Work by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1907

God's Glorious Work

By C. M. S.

It is a wonderful work to chisel an angel form out of a cold, white, insensate stone. We look upon it and wonder at the skill of the artist and the deftness of the chiseling that brought beauty and the representation of life out of ugliness and the representation of death.

There is a more wonderful work than that taking place in the earth to-day. Jesus Christ is taking the ugliest of characters and bringing them back into the likeness of the divine pattern. Concerning that wonderful work he declares: “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” Isa. 13:12. So precious are they upon whom this work is performed that they are designated by the strongest term Inspiration can use to show their value. He says: “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.” Mal. 3:17.

But the regard of the Lord for his loyal people is deeper than that of men for jewels, however great that may be. His regard is that tender heart sympathy, as well, which the heart of the parent feels for the child. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Ps. 116:15. And precious also in his sight is the life that sets him forth before a world that is forgetting him. Concerning those that reverence Jehovah and think upon his name he says: “I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Mal. 3:17.

Truly that possession of the Lord's is a most valued one. Had there been but one soul to make up that possession, we know heaven would have made the same sacrifice that it did for the whole multitude redeemed from among men. Says Jehovah, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.”

Many times in sore temptations or deep discouragement Satan holds before us the cloud of our own sins to shut out the sunlight of heaven; but it is always when we are looking away from the Lamb of God that we see that cloud. Turn and look to him, and it vanishes. Turn away from him, and we have nothing to look to but the fruit of our own crooked way, the result of our own sinful course. If Satan can not induce us to commit further sins, he will seek to convince us that those already committed are unforgiveable and insure our ruin. Then let these blessed scriptures shine out in all their luster: “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” “Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” Again: “He will tread our iniquities under foot; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

The soul striving for a character bearing the divine likeness will meet the subtle suggestion that we are worthless, and that it is impossible that heaven should care for us individually; that the Redeemer could not possibly understand all our trials. Then let these scriptures occupy the mind and sink into the heart: “For we have not a high priest that can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

The sacrifice made, the work accomplished, is sufficient for every soul upon the earth. We can have no legitimate reason for discouragement, or for doubt of his ability to save us. He sacrificed all that he did in order to demonstrate his love and his willingness and ability to save. Doubt it not. Appropriate all that he has done; accept all that he has given; believe him sincere when he invites all to partake of the water of life; believe his word when he says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

If we accept these invitations and act upon these exhortations and admonitions, then we shall triumph. It is not of us or through our worthiness, but of and in and through him—righteous only through his righteousness; triumphant in the great triumph which he achieved; joint heirs to the eternal inheritance by virtue of his redemption of the usurped dominion. To those who thus accept him is made this blessed and everlasting promise: “He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more.” Rev. 3:12. That means to be forever with Christ.

God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us live together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus: . . . For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.

That is the glorious work that the gospel of Christ is doing in the world to-day—out of just such unpromising material as we are, making living stones for the completion of that temple which shall never be destroyed. C. M. S.