“THE grace of God!” What a strange title the above sounds as a subject for a play in three acts! but such was the startling announcement which recently met the writer’s eye in one of the large cities of Canada.
“The grace of God!” How sweetly these words sound in the believer’s ear! What volumes they tell of the heart of Him, who “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:1111For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (Titus 2:11)). Popular Christianity today rejects “the grace of God,” as of old they rejected Him whom the God of grace had given, “a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord;” so men today―fools that they are—are calling down vengeance upon themselves by rejecting “the grace of God.”
Oh! think, dear reader, if you are still among that company, what “the grace of God” has done. He “so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son.” And how did man show out his thoughts of God’s priceless gift? “They hated me without a cause,” were the Saviour’s solemn words. Hated and rejected was that blessed Saviour, who had come in tenderest pity to save poor ruined man. They would not have God, neither did they want His Son, so they nailed Him to a cross, putting Him to the utmost shame and degradation! Was that not enough to close the heart of God forever, and bring down eternal vengeance upon their guilty heads? Most surely. But oh! the wonders of the grace of God. From the glory, where the earth rejected Saviour now lives, God has sent down His Spirit, and through His servants is proclaiming salvation to whosoever will. Scoffers, despisers, and rejecters, may now receive pardon and forgiveness from the “God of all grace,” through that risen and glorified Saviour.
“Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:3838Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 13:38)), is still God’s gracious message.
Whatever man receives from God must be solely on the ground of God’s rich grace. For man is a sinner (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)); guilty (Rom. 3:1919Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19)); under, condemnation (John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)); with the wrath of God abiding on him (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)). How then, you say, can he be saved? “The grace of God,” is the answer. He, by the gift of His Son, has made it righteously possible for man, who by nature was “far off,” to be brought nigh, and that by the blood of Christ (see Eph. 2:1313But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)). Therefore it is “not of works, lest any man should boast.” “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)). Men may refuse “the grace of God,” sport with it, treat it with levity, and “act” it, but if “the grace of God” is rejected, nothing remains for them but “the wrath of God.” How are you treating His grace, dear reader?
Soon the day of grace will have run its course, and the sweet call of mercy give place to the thunders of divine judgment; then shall come upon every grace-rejecter those words spoken by the prophets: “Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in nowise believe, though a man declare it unto you.”
See that you despise not “the grace of God”!
E. E. N.