SABBATH, APRIL 21, 1877.
By C. W. S.
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 1 Cor. 12:9. Next to the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God and in the enjoyment of the beauties of the earth made new comes the grateful assurance that amid all the trials of life and the temptations of the devil the grace of God is sufficient for all who would labor for that inheritance that fadeth not away. Grace, properly, is spontaneous, perhaps unmerited, favor. In one sense it is mercy; and yet, it is distinguished from mercy—it precedes it. It was the grace of God that opened the way for the exercise of his mercy to fallen man. The grace of God is that divine attribute which springs from the never-failing fount of charity, or love. It is that gentle, loving, encouraging voice that says to him who is cast down or in any way disheartened, or who is discouraged on account of the difficulties of the way and failures in the past, Try again. The grace of God is broad enough to save all mankind; therefore it is not his fault that the majority walk in the broad way, and go to perdition. Paul testifies that God would have all men to be saved, and that Christ gave himself a ransom for all men. 1 Tim. 2:4, 6. Peter says that the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:9. This is in direct harmony with the original plan. When man sinned, the race was hopelessly lost. But right here the love of God was displayed. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” First, he loved the world; then, secondly, his grace was displayed in bestowing upon man the unmerited gift of his Son as a ransom; and in the bestowal of that gift, provision was made for all mankind—“that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Finally, the last gracious invitation in the Bible is so very broad as to extend to every son and daughter of Adam. “And the Spirit and the bride say come. And let him that heareth say come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” But, although provision is so ample, and the invitation so free, there are conditions with which we must comply in order finally to obtain mercy and salvation. It would be in accordance with the will of God to have all men saved; but all men will not come unto him that they may be saved. God gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish; but the majority have never believed on him, nor do they to-day. The invitation to come is to everyone that will; but the sad fact is that few will. “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin;” but this is on condition that “we walk in the light, as he is in the light.” “He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness;” but before he can do this, we must confess our sins. 1 John 1:9. It is a comfort to the child of God to know that whatever he may be called to encounter in the way of duty, the grace of God is sufficient for him. “By grace ye are saved through faith.” Paul refers to the prophets and holy men of old as examples of faith, and we know that it is through that faith that by the grace of God they will finally obtain the promise with us. Noah lived in a very wicked age of the world; and God called him to stand before the people with a very unpopular message. Do you think that Noah had so little of human weakness about him that he did not tremble in view of the great work before him? I do not believe it. Nothing but the grace of God was ever sufficient to sustain him while a hundred and twenty years he preached and practiced against the teachings and works of a wicked world. What sustained Abraham, when put to the severest test of faith that ever man was called to endure? What sustained the three worthies who were cast into the fiery furnace on account of their faith? What was Daniel’s support when thrown into the den of blood-thirsty lions? It was the favor, the grace of the beneficent God whom they adored. Faith in God secures his favor, his grace. Read the eleventh chapter of Hebrews for a list of mighty works done through faith. The same God of all grace that was the strength of his faithful ones anciently, speaks with the same inviting, encouraging words to the heart of the sinner to-day, and gives the same assurance of divine aid to the earnest, struggling soldier of the cross. Paul says that he was the chief of sinners, and that the mercy of Jesus Christ was especially shown to him for a pattern to all them which should hereafter believe on him. 1 Tim. 1:15, 16. Take courage, despairing one, the grace of God is sufficient for you, if you will accept of it, and try earnestly to keep his commandments. The child of God, who is bowed under afflictions, who feels that he could serve God better were they removed, should remember that Paul was persecuted, whipped, and imprisoned, besides laboring under a certain physical infirmity which he besought the Lord three times to remove; and then he should remember the Lord’s answer to Paul,—“My grace is sufficient for thee.” Paul acknowledged his own nothingness, accepted the proffered grace, and by it did mighty works. C. W. S.