Returning to God by C. P. Bollman

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 8, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 18.

Returning to God.

By C. P. Bollman

It is a sad thought that any soul who has once enlisted in the service of God should ever grieve his Spirit, or allow himself to be led into sin; thus yielding to the enemy of all righteousness. But that such is the experience of some is proved by both scripture and observation.

David, of whom at one period in his life it was said that he was a man after God's own heart, sinned against the Lord, and brought upon himself that scathing rebuke recorded in 2 Sam. 12: 7-12.

God visited the sin of David upon him in the death of the child which was born unto him, and raised up evil against him out of his own house, so that his life was embittered by the rebellion of his son Absalom.

But David confessed his sin, and was assured by the prophet that his iniquity was forgiven him. Nevertheless it was for the glory of God that the child should die, because the king's sin had given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. Thus it is that sin always brings a measure of suffering.

But God in mercy is ready to forgive our transgressions when we come to him, and by confession and true repentance put the evil out of our hearts; yet for his glory and our good, he permits us to suffer the minor consequences of our iniquities; thereby enabling us to form some conception of the sinfulness of sin.

Though God is holy, and cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; and while the sin of backsliding must be (if we may so speak) doubly black in his sight, yet the Bible abounds in invitations to those who have wandered away from the Lord to return unto him for "he will abundantly pardon."

The language of inspiration is: "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you; and I will take you one of a city and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion." Jer. 3: 14.

In the parable of the prodigal son we have a most touching illustration of the willingness of our heavenly Father to welcome the humble penitent. Oh, the goodness and mercy of God! His judgments are unsearchable, and "his ways past finding out."

But, backslider, how long will you presume upon the mercy of God, and continue to grieve his Spirit? How long will you stay in the enemy's country and feed upon the husks of sin? Throw off the spell which Satan has cast over you, and like the prodigal resolve, "I will arise and go to my father." C. P. BOLLMAN.