PEOPLE tell us that there were seven wonders in the ancient world. I cannot say what they all were, but I believe one was the Colossus at Rhodes, and another tile great Pyramids of Egypt.
Not so very long ago I climbed, with considerable difficulty, to the top in the principal pyramid, and could well understand why it was considered to be one of the world’s seven wonders. No one can say definitely what methods were employed for transporting and for placing in position these huge blocks of stone.
I think, however, I may suggest there is an eighth wonder, and it is one which eclipses those seven completely. I need scarcely say it is not anything created or built up by men. It is the fact that it is now possible for a righteous, holy, and sin-hating God to show grace, and to bring blessing to poor fallen sinners, and still maintain His righteous character.
Let us ponder this for a moment.
On the one hand we have a God Who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, a thrice-holy God Who must punish sin.
On the other hand we have a people full of sin, and marked by self-will and disobedience to the God to Whom they have to give an account.
Before we go further, dear reader, may I ask if, in this latter picture, you see yourself? Have you yet learned that in God’s sight you are a lost and guilty sinner, and that if your eternal future is to depend on yourself or your doings, your case is hopeless? I hope you have.
Well, to return to our question. “How can God show grace to the guilty sinner, and yet judge sin as He must do if He is God?”
This is where the good news of the gospel comes in. In the Old Testament days God did many and wonderful things for His earthly people. He cared for them, and fought their battles. Yet none knew anything of His love to guilty sinners, and therefore none could make it known.
But at last a Divine Person, the Son of God, Who was ever in the enjoyment of His Father’s love, was found in this sin-benighted world. He, and He alone, could make known the matchless love of God to guilty men.
― “He knoweth all”
“That in that bosom lies,
And came to earth to make it known
That we might share His joys.”
The Lord Jesus Christ came to make this love known, and to do His Father’s will. Part of that will was that He should lay down His spotless life as an offering for sin, in order that God might have perfect satisfaction for sin, and that He might then be able, in perfect righteousness, to forgive and bless the sinner. Nothing greater could have been offered, and nothing less would have satisfied a holy God.
I want you to realize, dear friend, that God’s love for you was so great that He counted not the life of His beloved Son too great a price for your redemption. Do not you agree with me that the fact that God now offers pardon and salvation to sinners is the greatest wonder in the universe?
Will you let Him have the joy of blessing you now as you read this? It maybe you have for years rejected, or at least neglected, His gracious call, yet His arms are outstretched towards you still. He longs to bless you, and to make you eternally happy.
If unsaved, let me lovingly warn you. You are heading for an eternity of woe, and I do pray that God, by His Spirit, may give you to see your danger before it is too late. And having learned that, may He then bring you in repentance to the feet of my Saviour, for you to own Him as your Lord and Saviour too.
J. A. B.
GREAT God of wonders! all Thy ways
Are wondrous, matchless, and divine;
But the blest triumphs of Thy grace
Most marvelous unrivalled shine.
Who is a pardoning God like Thee?
Or who has grace so rich and free?
In wonder lost, with trembling joy
We hail the pardon of our God;
Pardon for crimes of deepest dye;
A pardon traced in Jesus’ blood.
To pardon thus is Thine alone;
Mercy and grace are both Thine own.
Soon shall this strange, this wondrous grace,
This perfect miracle of love,
Fill the wide earth, while sweeter praise
Sounds its own note in heaven above.
Who is a pardoning God like Thee?
Or who has grace so rich, so free?