The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-02-12
Fon rur CrNreAL PsEssYrERIAS.
MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE.

"MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE. p"
In applying this comforting assurance to
the various trials Of life we should not omit
to notice, that peculisrities Of natural tenn
permanent give occasion for peculiar tempts-
tons. Persons of viVsciOus temper are prone
TO levisy, while the melancholy are liable to
encouragement. The phlegmstic incline to
be Indifferent and dilstOry, and the sensitive
to shrink from responsibility. The gentle
are prone to be too yielding, the firm to De
overbesring, while persons Of ardent temper
are easily betrayed into fits of anger. Now
ia it to be expected that the grace OF God
will eyince its suficiency by taking away the
natural characteristics Of each of these class
as The conscientious Christian whose VI
yscity may have betrayed him into levity,
will feel unhappy upon reviewing his con-
duct. What must he do to fad comfort in
the promise, "My grace is sufficient for
thee?" Most he brood over his levity as
the inevitable effect of his natural tempars-
ment until grace shall replace his ViVacity
with an opposite disposition By no means
He must by faith lay hold of the promised
grace to control his peculiar disposition
Perhaps the time will never come in his
earthly state when he can say, " l am free
from temptation to lightness of speech But
temptation does not neoessitate compliance.
On the contrary, it affords an occasion of
triumph to all who implicitly rely upon the
suficiency of divine grace. Aud this ap-
plies as truly to persons Of one temperament
as of another.
Particular attention has been called to
these things, because there is reason to be-
ievs that macy real Christians deprive them
selves of much spiritual comfort and improve
ment, by fruitlessly lamenting those cOnsti-
tudonal iu6rmities BY which they are led
into particular sins, instead of realizing their
responsibility to avail themselves of the aid
which God has promised to resist their pro-
pensities. Our first parents were subjected
to trial in perfect nature. But It Is notso
with US. In consequence Of their sin, 1t Is
our lot to endure trial ia sn imperfect ma
ture. This will attach TO as as long as We
are in tie body. The Scriptures do not en-
courage us to believe that cur imperfect ma
ture will be changed into perfect one, SO
long as our spiritual warfare shall last. But
let Us not deem this a reflection upon the
grace of God. Much less should We make it
the occasion of sin. For although grace
may not undertake, during our earthly pill
orimaee, to 80 correct all the disorders Of
our nature as to free Us from the painful
sense of struggling against sin, yet 1t is ade-
quate not only to keep us from yielding to
ain, but to ensure constant sttslnments IN
holiness. And let it be remembered that
whatever it achieves for each individual be-
liever, is achieved in the precise circum-
stances which may have been allotted him in
the providence of God. To imagine when
we are tempted that the grace of Christ is
not sufficient for US in our present need, but
might be, if We were differently constituted,
or placed in other circumstances, betrsys un-
belief. It also ssvours of wicked presumP-
ton in arraigning the providence of God fOI
so ordering our lot that it constitutes an In
superable barrier to the reception Of BIS
grace. And all :his springs from secret
intention to shift the blame of yielding to
temptation from ourselves, by aseriOing it to
circumstances beyond our control. Now this
is to despise the faished work of Christ, and
so to .'grieve the Holy Spiri: Of God where
bv We are sealed unto the day of redemP
tioo." In such q state the heart is uO6tteC
for auy spiritual exercise. Darkness broOd
over it, and, for the time, it is barren o
fruit unto holiness. When We are tempted
how much better is it to become "hItle chill
dren iu accepting the grace which Chris
so freely offers US in our helpleaaness.
PF.