Inestimable Gift
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As the plan of redemption begins and ends with a gift, so it is
to be carried forward. The same spirit of sacrifice which purchased
salvation for us will dwell in the hearts of all who become partakers of
the heavenly gift. Says the apostle Peter: “As every man hath received
the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards
of the manifold grace of God.” Said Jesus to His disciples as He sent
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them forth: “Freely ye have received, freely give.” In him who is fully
in sympathy with Christ there can be nothing selfish or exclusive. He
who drinks of the living water will find that it is “in him a well of
water springing up into everlasting life.” The Spirit of Christ within
him is like a spring welling up in the desert, flowing to refresh all,
and making those who are ready to perish, eager to drink of the water
of life. It was the same spirit of love and self-sacrifice which dwelt
in Christ that impelled the apostle Paul to his manifold labors. “I am
debtor,” he says, “both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to
the wise, and to the unwise.” “Unto me, who am less than the least of
all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles
the unsearchable riches of Christ.”
Our Lord designed that His church should reflect to the world
the fullness and sufficiency that we find in Him. We are constantly
receiving of God’s bounty, and by imparting of the same we are to
represent to the world the love and beneficence of Christ. While
all heaven is astir, dispatching messengers to every part of the earth
to carry forward the work of redemption, the church of the living
God are also to be co-laborers with Christ. We are members of His
mystical body. He is the head, controlling all the members of the body.
Jesus Himself, in His infinite mercy, is working on human hearts,
effecting spiritual transformations so amazing that angels look on with
astonishment and joy. The same unselfish love that characterizes the
Master is seen in the character and life of His true followers. Christ
expects that men will become partakers of His divine nature while in
this world, thus not only reflecting His glory to the praise of God, but
illumining the darkness of the world with the radiance of heaven. Thus
will be fulfilled the words of Christ: “Ye are the light of the world.”
“We are laborers together with God,” “stewards of the manifold
grace of God.” The knowledge of God’s grace, the truths of His word,
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and temporal gifts as well,—time and means, talents and influence,—
are all a trust from God to be employed to His glory and the salvation