Appeal
193
his deficiencies, he is constantly striving to rise to the level of their
perfection.
Such an experience must be ours if we would be prepared to stand
in the day of God. Now, while probation lingers, while mercy’s voice is
still heard, is the time for us to put away our sins. While moral darkness
covers the earth like a funeral pall, the light of God’s standard-bearers
must shine the more brightly, showing the contrast between heaven’s
light and Satan’s darkness.
God has made ample provision that we may stand perfect in His
grace, wanting in nothing, waiting for the appearing of our Lord. Are
you ready? Have you the wedding garment on? That garment will
never cover deceit, impurity, corruption, or hypocrisy. The eye of
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God is upon you. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart. We may conceal our sins from the eyes of men, but we can hide
nothing from our Maker.
God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him to death for our
offenses and raised Him again for our justification. Through Christ
we may present our petitions at the throne of grace. Through Him,
unworthy as we are, we may obtain all spiritual blessings. Do we
come to Him, that we may have life?
How shall we know for ourselves God’s goodness and His love?
The psalmist tells us—not, hear and know, read and know, or believe
and know; but—“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Instead of
relying upon the word of another, taste for yourself.
Experience is knowledge derived from experiment. Experimental
religion is what is needed now. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
Some—yes, a large number—have a theoretical knowledge of religious
truth, but have never felt the renewing power of divine grace upon
their own hearts. These persons are ever slow to heed the testimonies
of warning, reproof, and instruction indited by the Holy Spirit. They
believe in the wrath of God, but put forth no earnest efforts to escape
it. They believe in heaven, but make no sacrifice to obtain it. They
believe in the value of the soul and that erelong its redemption ceaseth
forever. Yet they neglect the most precious opportunities to make their
peace with God.
They may read the Bible, but its threatenings do not alarm or its
promises win them. They approve things that are excellent, yet they
follow the way in which God has forbidden them to go. They know