MORE
GRACE.
BY R.W. LYMAN.
Through
the whole length of the Christian’s pathway in this life, even to its terminus,
are placed close to is edge, pitfalls, artfully concealed from view by a soft
and luxuriant covering. These by their inviting appearance attract the
attention of many a way-worn traveler, who on his pilgrimage to the land of the
holy rest, is bearing the
Christ-imposed burdens of the way, which consist in self-denying co-operative
work, with and for the Master.
Extremely
dangerous though these pitfalls be to the traveler upon the highway of
holiness, their cunning artificer has inscribed upon their surface, such
winning names as shall cause his delusions to appear of real worth.
Rest is
one of the inviting names interwoven upon the numbers of these illusory traps.
This carnal rest is the theme upon
which I would dwell just now, though this is only one of the many enticements
of the enemy, who “as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour.”
An
inspired writer, for the benefit of all
that be “in God the Father and in our Lord Jesus Christ,” says, “Let us not
sleep, as do others; but let us watch over and be sober.” The foolish virgins
were sleeping when the Bridegroom came. Wakefulness, and vigilance and advance
are Christian watchwords.
Especially
at times when the traveler has taken some very important and lengthy strides in
the Christian life, does the tempter whisper, “Now rest in your journey; you
have outstripped your fellow-travelers and can now rest until they reach your
altitude. Provoke not more, by your still onward march, the rebuffs of your
slower but good brethren, and the taunts of the world.”
Whoever
shall listen to, or be governed by, such suggestions injures his own soul and
slights God’s proffered grace. Let it be distinctly borne in mind that to
whatever heights in holiness the believer may have attained, the Holy Spirit “giveth
more grace.”-(James iv:6.)
You,
reader, and every child of God, may with assurance of attainment reach out
after “those things which are before.”
***
ALONE WITH GOD.
He who bore our sins
was often alone in the garden or on the mountain communicating with His Father
and ours. Should His example in this particular be counted out of our calendar,
so that every day will be given over to the secularities which throng upon the
hours as they go? The strong heart must get its strength from some blessed
solitude, where none but God can hear. The faith that triumphs, the courage
that dares, the fortitude that endures, the fidelity that shall last ot the
end, are not of the world. They come from close fellowship of thought,
meditation and prayer with and to Him who has promised to hear in secret and
reward openly.
