August
18, 2003
GOD'S
LOVE DEMONSTRATED
"God
demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were
still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, NKJV).
Every
man, woman and child may come to the Lord, their Creator,
in whatever condition they may be. Do not feel that because
you are a sinner you cannot hope to receive blessings from
God. Remember that Christ came into the world to save sinners.
We have nothing to recommend us to God. The plea that we may
urge now and ever is our utter helpless condition, which makes
His redeeming power a necessity. "Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us"
(Titus 3:5).
It is
faith that connects us with heaven and brings us strength
for coping with the powers of darkness in our lives. In Christ,
God has provided means for subduing every evil trait and resisting
every temptation, however strong. Because of their weaknesses,
many feel that they are unworthy and therefore they remain
away from Christ. Let such souls, in their unworthiness, cast
themselves on the mercy of their compassionate Saviour. He
who healed the sick and cast out demons when He walked among
men is still the same mighty Redeemer. Then grasp His promises
as leaves from the tree of life. "The
one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out"
(John 6:37).
Paul,
an apostle who formerly persecuted the followers of Christ,
came to testify to his belief in the love of God, "I
am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities
nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height
nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate
us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord"
(Romans 8:38, 39).
David
recognized his helpless condition before the Lord when he
said, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out
my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and
cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me... Create in me a clean heart,
O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me... Then I will
teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted
to You" (Psalms 51:1-3, 10, 13). Of David, the Lord testified,
"I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My
own heart, who will do all My will" (Acts 13:22).
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