West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-12-06
81 WILL DECLARE THY
GREATNESS,-PsaIm I45.

Sp. cial Contribution TO The ARGUS.
''rhc Lord is gracious, and full of com.
passion and of great mercy."--8 VS..
Remarkably few appreciate the richness
and wealth of significance in the scriptural
use of the word grace, and as here used in
this song of the judgment day as one
Characteristic of Jehovah's greatness. The
word grace signifies favor. Acts Of grace
are clearly to be distinguished from acts of
justice and from obligations. Every tes,i.
mony that God is extending His grace to
humanity or to the church is testimony 10
their uuworthiness TO justly demand those
fayors or blessings.
The propositions of divine grace arc not
in conflict with the universal law of retri.
button. They are not to prevent the fire
from burning, but TO provide the healing
balm; not TO prevent the wages Of sin from
following transgressions, but TO succor the
repeniant who desire to reform, and TO hclp
him back to full recovery, along the lines of
slretest istice-by a willing ransom price.
Gods grace does not frustrate the spirit of
his own law, it is not intended TO clear the
wilful transgressor. 1t atteSts the justice of
the divine law and has fully met lis require
menis in the person and sacrifice of our
Lord Jesus on behalf of Adam and all his
race involved in his transgression from. :Iz.
I7.I0) "Christ died, the Just for the un.
just in order '1hat God might be Just and
yet be the justi6er Of him that believelh in
Jesus"
II 1t were not for sin and its retributive
punishments there would be no room for
grace. Mans necessity constitute. the
opportunity for It's exercise. TO argue that
there was anything in man after the fall 10
merit compassion is to deny the justice Of
the penalty upon Adam and the race /,
him. Gods work 'fs perfect" lie
neither created idiots nor other physical or
or mental malformations. Our blemishes
come to us from our parents; "born In sin
and shapen in iniquiiy;" the race never had
life; II inherited death. (I Cor. Is.as)
No one can in,elligenily believe in divine
grace who holds 20 the theory Of evolution
any other theory Of salvation than the
Scrpiural one. which recognizes mans
original creation m the divine likeness. his
fall into sin and death, his redemption
therefrom by the death of our Redeemer.
and his hope Of recovery through divine
grace extended now 70 the church and ~
be exteuded through the church under
Christ IFS Head) TO ell the families Of the
earth
And that Is the viewpoint Of the prophet
IN the wondrous song. The saints the
church exalted and judging the work. de.
clare Gods greatness to the families Of the
earth as they come forth In their orders
from the tomb; not to meet an angry. in.
exorabl judge, but, better .ihan all their
fears, they learn that the Lord is indeed
gres' in every attribute Of perfection, glo-
nously honorable and righteous altogether.
Gracious, full Of campassion and Of tender
mercy y'--''casy 10 be enirea,ed. slow to
sngeri in every way the God Of their utmost
desire. There will be abundant room for
The exercise Of all the gloriss Of a perfect
conditon and all who viii may share
Yes, this is universal salvation rs declared
to be Gods gracious will q Tim. 2.D and
who shall make 4 void 2 II al that time,
''Wheu the son Of man shall sit in the
throne q bis glory that The separation will
be made we have shown that Gods
grace s offered upon conditions and upon
INES o. strict justice. Every one will be
f'fssrded according to his works as shown