"UNTO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY."
THREE times is the thought expressed in the first chapter of Ephesians—"to the praise of the glory of His grace," "unto the praise of His glory." Verses 6, 12, 14. A fine work of art is to the praise of the vision and skill of the artist. He has taken the common colors and blended them into a picture of meaning. Men look upon it and praise him. A notable book, or a beautiful poem, is to the praise of the author. Men read the book or the poem and honor the author. A majestic, harmonious building, such as the Congressional Library, is to the praise of the glory of architect and builder. The thoughtful think of the piles of rough stone and concrete, of brick and mortar, of timber and boards, in unsightly piles all of them, but now a glorious building, harmonious in design, perfectly adapted to its use. The more unsightly and unpromising the raw material, the greater is the finished product to the praise of its maker. Men see the building and praise the builder. When man has once achieved fame for great work, he must do mediocre work no longer, or blame, not praise, shall be his portion. Yet it is generally the case that men do not do their best work last. It is a common complaint that artists and authors "fall down" on their later works. But the expressions we have quoted above do not refer to man, but to the great God of the universe, perfect in knowledge, power, and wisdom, in infinity of years. He also is doing a work which will be "unto the praise of His glory," "unto the praise of the glory of His grace." He is taking the most unpromising material in the universe upon which to stamp His marvelous skill and glorious workmanship. He is taking man, poor, wretched, fallen, sinful, corrupt man. Conscious subjects are they to submit to the fierce flame of the furnace fire, to the heavy blows of the Master's hammer, to the crushing weight of affliction's press, to all the needed discipline and changes which the wise Architect, Artist, Builder, sees necessary. Those who will submit to Him, He will make "to the praise of the glory of His grace." His blood will cleanse away the sin. His presence will refine, remold, recreate, the erstwhile stubborn and rebellious heart. The wrinkling dross of sin which the fires reveal will be wiped away in the tenderness of infinite love, and upon the plastic, submissive soul God will impress His own divine image, will transfer the beauty of His glory. Are you discouraged, soul? Then read the book of Ephesians. Over and over read that first chapter. Are you one of God's children? Have you given yourself to Him? Then know that unless you remove yourself from His workshop He has pledged the trinity5of the power of Deity to make you "to the praise of His glory." His own mighty power, the death and sacrifice of His Son, the power of His indwelling, regenerating Spirit will accomplish the work. Then, thruout all eternity's endless cycles, as often as angels of God or inhabitants of other worlds look upon His redeemed ones, they will wonder and praise at the marvelous work which Infinite Love has wrought in man. Will you let Him do that work for you?