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TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
EFFECTUAL GRACE (Continued from Page S06)
The grace of God has been freely given that we may bring forth “fruit unto holiness” (Rom. 6:22), that we may bring forth “much fruit” in His service (John 15:5). Has the Divine purpose been fulfilled in us or has the grace of God been in vain? Many Christians of Paulas day did “run well” (Gal. 5:7); they gave great promise of finishing well, but along the way dropped out of the Christian race. Today some are running with
the crowd on the broad road which leads to destruction. Nothing gives greater sorrow to those who love souls than to see those who were graciously endowed with special gifts, and were greatly blessed to both saints and sin ners, now living unto self and for the world. We all need to guard well our hearts (Prov. 4:23), lest the enemy of our souls draw us away from Christ and make ineffectual His work of grace in our hearts. If the grace of God is not to be in vain, we must live in constant remem brance of our indebtedness to Christ. It was the remembrance of God’s amazing grace which inspired Paul to , be so zealous in the service of His Lord. When we forget what we owe to the grace of God, then we cease to be humble. We become proud, self- confident, worldly in spirit; the chan nel through which the supply of grace may reach us is choked. We then live on our own resources, with tragic results. If we will remember that we owe absolutely everything to God, we will be kept in that condition of soul whereby God will be “ able to make all grace abound toward” us (2 Cor. 9:8). If the grace bestowed upon us in the past is not to be in vain, we must look to Christ daily for a fresh supply of grace. As our bodies n e e d to be nourished daily with wholesome food, so our souls need to be nourished with Divine grace. We are bidden to come to the throne of grace boldly and confidently in our time of need, for our Saviour loves to give (Heb. 4:16). If we keep humble in soul, ever realizing our utter dependence on Christ for grace to grow in holiness and love, to be fruitful in His service, He will never fail us. When we are prepared to use solely for His glory that which He gives us, He will en able us to carry on even to old age. I think of three old British nalval commanders who could be found, their white hair ruffled by the wind, preaching the Gospel at all times, in all kinds of weather, a n d in all places. They were “ always abound ing in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). The more we are emptied of pride, self, worldliness, the more free ly and fully will the grace of God flow into us, blessing our whole be ing, for “He gives more abundant grace,” as is implied in His saying, “ God sets Himself a g a i n s t the haughty, but to the lowly He gives grace” (James 4:6. Weymouth; also Prov. 3:34). SPECI AL ! 12 beautiful Everyday Greeting Fold ers, 75c postpaid. W i t h or without Scripture. Satisfaction guaranteed. REV. W M . ALSUP 1726 H. &rciu*n Lei An;»!«» 23
grieved, alter He has bestowed so much love upon us, to come seeking fruit and find us barren! He testified of Israel^ “What eould have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?” (Isa. 5:4). When He looked for sweet and luscious fruit, He found only “wild grapes.”
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