GRACE.

Hoa Maori, Issue 44, 1 October 1897, Page 15

GRACE.

“It is Thy boundless grace, Lord Jesus, that has made us what we are. It is all grace, from beginning to end.’’ SUCH were the words used by a dear believer when express._l ing gratitude to the Lord for His marvellous grace. People are often puzzled as to what is meant ;by “ grace.” It simply means “ undeserved favour.” The “ grace of God ”is the

undeserved, favour which God sborys towards poor lost sinners, ■ (who deserve eternal perdition ' ! , ; ■■ , , , ' Even now, in this world, Christians stand with the unclouded favour of God resting upon them. ; (Rom. v. 2.) - And the grace which has saved-their souls will prove all-sufficient right on to the end of fife’s journey. • ■ ■.’ ■ T ■ v ... 1 - ? The Lord 'Jesus, who came to exhibit what God is, was full of grace. He was gracious even to his foes. His grace to the needy was beyond all praise, and, dear reader, His grace,is still , the same ! , ' ■ f “ It was the grace of God which led Him to devise the, plan of; redemption for ruined man ; and Christians owe everything they ) have to his sovereign grace. No one will ever be in heaven who will not ascribe his being there to grace. 1 ; .i-'i-, d Grace leaves no room for boasting. (Eph. ii. 8,9.) It glorifies the One from whom it flows, and brings blessing to its objects. It is the opposite of law. Law demands something from those under it; grace expects nothing, but brings everything with it. Well may one who owes everything lo grace triumph in it. The grace exhibited in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ will form the theme of the eternal song that will be sung by the redeemed in glory. • . , ■ < Dear reader, are you in the enjoyment of the numberless, benefits which divine grace places without your reach ? Or are you turning the grace and long-suffering of God into an opportunity for gratifying your own lusts, and taking your fill of pleasure and sin 1 . . ! y It is related of Whitefield that in his outdoor preaching on one occasion, he desired to illustrate the ease with which the blessings brought by grace may become ours. iir. ?./ : “Just as easy,” said he, “ as for me to catch this passing fly.” He made a grasp at the fly, but failed to catch it, and had to add : “ Easy as it is to lay hold of grace ; it is easier still to miss it!” v ' • _ How true this is, my reader ! Are you missing it , ■. • Your only claim to God’s grace is need. Behold, then, your title. Where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound.” (Rom. v. 20.) , . ; E. Y. 6. • ■