Chapter 50—Come and Seek and Find
[
This article appeared in
The Signs of the Times, December 19, 1892
.]
It is impossible for man to save himself. He may deceive himself in
regard to this matter, but he cannot save himself. Christ’s righteousness
alone can avail for his salvation, and this is the gift of God. This is
the wedding garment in which you may appear as a welcome guest at
the marriage supper of the Lamb. Let faith take hold of Christ without
delay, and you will be a new creature in Jesus, a light to the world.
Christ is called “the Lord our righteousness,” and through faith
each one should say, “The Lord my righteousness.” When faith lays
hold upon this gift of God, the praise of God will be upon our lips, and
we shall be able to say to others, “Behold the Lamb of God, which
taketh away the sin of the world” (
John 1:29
). We shall then be able to
tell the lost concerning the plan of salvation, that while the world was
lying under the curse of sin, the Lord presented terms of mercy to the
fallen and hopeless sinner, and revealed the value and meaning of His
grace. Grace is unmerited favor. The angels, who know nothing of sin,
do not understand what it is to have grace exercised toward them; but
our sinfulness calls for the exercise of grace from a merciful God. It
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was grace that sent our Saviour to seek us as wanderers and bring us
back to the fold.
Have you a sense of want in your soul? Do you hunger and thirst
after righteousness? Then this is an evidence that Christ has wrought
upon your heart, and created this sense of need, in order that He may
be sought after to do those things for you through the endowment of
His Holy Spirit which it is impossible for you to do for yourself. The
Lord specifies no conditions except that you hunger for His mercy,
desiring His counsel, and long for His love. “Ask!” The asking makes
it manifest that you realize your necessity, and if you ask in faith, you
will receive. The Lord has pledged His word, and it cannot fail. That
you feel and know that you are a sinner is sufficient argument in asking
for His mercy and compassion. The condition upon which you may
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