88
Selected Messages Book 1
to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are
cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him;
and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” (
Isaiah 58:5-7
).
The Reward
“Then [after they do these works of mercy and necessity] shall thy
light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth
speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the
Lord shall be thy rereward” (
Isaiah 58:8
).
We are to put into practice the precepts of the law, and thus have
righteousness before us; the rearward will be God’s glory. The light of
the righteousness of Christ will be our front guard, and the glory of the
Lord will be our rearward. Let us thank the Lord for this assurance.
Let us constantly stand in a position where the Lord God of heaven can
favor us. Let us consider that it is our high privilege to be in connection
with God—to be His helping hand.
In God’s great plan for the redemption of a lost race, He has placed
Himself under the necessity of using human agencies as His helping
hand. He must have a helping hand, in order to reach humanity. He
must have the cooperation of those who will be active, quick to see
opportunities, quick to discern what must be done for their fellow men.
[100]
Christ gave His life for sinful men and women. He desired to
rescue the race from a life of transgression to a life of obedience and
righteousness; and to those who accept Him as their Redeemer He
offers the richest reward that Heaven can bestow—even the inheritance
of life eternal
O that we might comprehend more fully the infinite price that has
been paid for our redemption! Paul declares, “Ye are bought with a
price” (
1 Corinthians 6:20
); and it is true; for the price paid is nothing
less than the life of the only-begotten Son of God. Let us all consider
this. We may refuse the invitations that Christ sends to us; we may
neglect His offer of pardon and peace; but still it remains a fact that
every one of us has been bought with a price, even with the precious
blood of the Son of God. Therefore, “Consider him” (
Hebrews 12:3
).
You have cost much. “Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God’s” (
1 Corinthians 6:20
). That which you may regard
as your own is God’s. Take care of His property. He has bought you