God’s Love for the Sinner
217
The Transformation of Mary—When to human eyes her case
appeared hopeless, Christ saw in Mary capabilities for good. He saw
the better traits of her character. The plan of redemption has invested
humanity with great possibilities, and in Mary these possibilities were
to be realized. Through His grace she became a partaker of the divine
nature. The one who had fallen, and whose mind had been a habitation
of demons, was brought very near to the Saviour in fellowship and
ministry.
It was Mary who sat at His feet and learned of Him. It was Mary
who poured upon His head the precious anointing oil, and bathed His
feet with her tears. Mary stood beside the cross, and followed Him to
the sepulcher. Mary was first at the tomb after His resurrection. It was
Mary who first proclaimed a risen Saviour.
The Greater the Sin, the Greater the Need for Jesus—Jesus
knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very
sinful. You may be, but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus.
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He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that
He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely
will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration.
Christ might commission the angels of heaven to pour out the vials
of His wrath on our world, to destroy those who are filled with hatred
of God. He might wipe this dark spot from His universe, but He does
not do this. He is today standing at the altar of incense, presenting
before God the prayers of those who desire His help.
The souls that turn to Him for refuge, Jesus lifts above the accusing
and the strife of tongues. No man or evil angel can impeach these
souls. Christ unites them to His own divine-human nature. They stand
beside the great Sin Bearer in the light proceeding from the throne of
God. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God
that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea
rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who
also maketh intercession for us” [
Romans 8:33, 34
].—
The Desire of
Ages, 568
.
A Never-failing Helper—The soul that has given himself to Christ
is more precious in His sight than the whole world. The Saviour would
have passed through the agony of Calvary that one might be saved
in His kingdom. He will never abandon one for whom He has died.
Unless His followers choose to leave Him, He will hold them fast.