p. 4 | WHY THEY WERE HONORED by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · May 31, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 22.

WHY THEY WERE HONORED.

By G.

It was Mary Magdalene, out of whom the devil was cast seven times before the Spirit of Christ could take permanent possession, who was the first human being to whom Christ appeared after His resurrection, and who was the first to be honored with a mission to announce the resurrection to others.

It was Peter, who had so strenuously denied his Lord in the hour of His greatest need of a friend, who was honored with a special invitation to meet the risen Saviour at a time when others were invited in a group. It was this same Peter who was selected by the Spirit to preach the principal sermon when the Gospel work was inaugurated under the new order on the day of Pentecost.

It was Saul of Tarsus, the persecuting Pharisee, who verily thought that he ought to do everything possible against the name of Jesus, and who persecuted unto the death the disciples of Christ, whom the Lord chose to be the foremost missionary of the cross in all the world.

Why were these so chosen? Was it because their conspicuous sins had qualified them for conspicuous service?—No, it was because of their deep conviction of sin and contrition of heart; because of their sincere repentance and their intense love of Him who had forgiven so much. It was through their high appreciation of His great mercy that they became such instruments as He could use to His honor and glory in the salvation of other sinners.

“When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and He shall save the humble person.” Job 22:29. The Lord’s commendation of Saul to Ananias of Damascus was, “Behold he prayeth.” The general principle announced in the Gospel is, “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” And the sinner truly humbles himself only when he confesses and forsakes his sins. G.