Cause and Effect.

THE world rushes on with its ever-swelling ranks. On, on, on in its death march, hoary in sin, seeking rest and peace from every spring of earth, to find sooner or later the truth of that unerring word, “All is vanity under the sun.” Yet, thank God, today there is a portion above it, enough to meet the need of any weary soul. To such I write, knowing there are many aroused from the death sleep of sin, seeking rest, but finding none, trying anything and everything their soul can find; but tossed like a vessel caught in a whirling storm, her decks swept with foaming seas, her chart, compass, and helm of no avail. Then you might read in every face two words—
NO HOPE!
So with souls. Conviction, by the word and Spirit of God, has come. What a mercy Like the foundering vessel, such can no longer sail smoothly, and obey the helm of an awakened conscience. No longer will the chart of feelings avail. The more your eye is turned inward, in search of rest, the more you find the darkness deepens, and your compass of hope proved to be but the hope of a hypocrite.
Instead of the sky being bright ahead, but one word meets your anxious gaze—
LOST!
And, like the men on the sinking ship, as you read these lines, Satan’s last effort to crush you forever may be pressed in upon your soul, expressed in two words—NO HOPE!
To you I cry, “Stand still, and see the salvation of God.” Did you read the words that head this paper? If not, do so now; and turn with me to 1 John 4:1919We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19). Here you get the effect of a cause: “We love Him, because He first loved us.”
Like many another, you have reversed God’s order. Finding your soul hopelessly sinking, the cry has often come, “Is there not a cause?” and, “How can God be love?” Ah, the secret is, you reason from your heart upward; faith does the reverse.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).)
Hence the effect, believing God, “We love Him, because He first loved us.”
“God is light,” and “God is love.”
Love is the main-spring of His every dealing with poor sinners. Could God be proved a lover of sin, then might the sinner make light of it, and face the future uncleansed; but because He is love, He loves you, not your sins; and love alone led Him to show you in the light of His presence what you are, and this found, what is there for you but salvation?
“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).)
“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24).)
And resting here, where God rests, look up and find in a risen Christ an eternal proof to you, that He is satisfied with that “finished work” in your stead. What a portion for the heart of God the Father! and what a portion for yours! All of time bears the stamp of vanity now, but beyond it is One who in it “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:22Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2).)
“The storm that bowed His blessed head
Is hushed forever now;
And rest divine is ours instead,
Whilst glory crowns His brow.”
P. D. O.