Chapter 2—For Sinners Only
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.
Titus 2:11
.
By disobeying the commands of God, man fell under the condemnation
of His law. This fall called for the grace of God to appear in behalf of sinners.
We should never have learned the meaning of this word “grace” had we not
fallen. God loves the sinless angels, who do His service, and are obedient to
all His commands; but He does not give them grace. These heavenly beings
know naught of grace; they have never needed it; for they have never sinned.
Grace is an attribute of God shown to undeserving human beings. We did not
seek after it, but it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow this grace
upon every one who hungers for it. To every one He presents terms of mercy,
not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy. Our
need is the qualification which gives us the assurance that we shall receive
this gift.
But God does not use His grace to make His law of none effect, or to
take the place of His law.... God’s grace and the law of His kingdom are in
perfect harmony; they walk hand in hand. His grace makes it possible for us
to draw nigh to Him by faith. By receiving it, and letting it work in our lives,
we testify to the validity of the law; we exalt the law and make it honorable
by carrying out its living principles through the power of the grace of Christ;
and by rendering pure, whole-hearted obedience to God’s law, we witness
before the universe of heaven, and before an apostate world that is making
void the law of God, to the power of redemption.
Not because we first loved Him, does God love us; but “while we were yet
sinners” (
Romans 5:8
) Christ died for us, making full and abundant provision
for our redemption. Although by our disobedience we have merited God’s
displeasure and condemnation, He has not forsaken us; He has not left us to
grapple with the power of the enemy in our own finite strength. Heavenly
angels fight our battles for us; and co-operating with them, we may be
victorious over the powers of evil. Trusting in Christ as our personal Saviour,
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