The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1909-03-18

WOrlQ.
"Able to Do"-A Message to the Dis
couraged.
BIZ O. r. s.
AS protesting Christians we would
be shocked, perhaps, should our be-
lief in the omnipotence of God be se-
riously questioned. And yet, while
adopting in our prayers the reverent
language of Job, 81 know that Thou
can'st do everything" how often do
our lives furnish painful refutation
of such confession! We recognize
the fact in the abstract, but not real
izing it in the concrete, we fail to ap-
propriate some of the most comfort
ing and strengthening passages of
Scripture. Let us examine few OF
these texts. with view to ascertain
ing what God, through the different
Persons of the Trinity, is liable to
do"
able to save to the uttermost."
The salvation wrought out by Christ
Is a complete salvation, beginning in
time. but projecting itself into etern-
ity. All the ends of the earth may
look unto Him and be saved. The
woman of Samaria, the sinner who
bathed His feet with her tears, Saul,
the prosecutor, the thief on the cross,
proved His ability to save, and even
those who pierced His side may have
become partakers of the same bless
ing in answer to His prayer for their
forgiveness.
able to succor them that are
tempted Having assumed our hui
mainly, Christ is a sympathizing
High Priest, and knowing the beset-
ting sins of each one, He is touched
with feeling of our (individuaD in
firmities." His ability to succor con-
sists in the fact that HE was tempt
ed I'm all points like as we are, yet
without sin,''-never once yielding
to the temptation. He not only
knows how to deliver the godly out
of temptation" but eff they keep His
word" He will keep them from the
hour of temptation" Note that the
promise depends on a condition with
in ourselves,-the keeping of His
commandments.
able to keep you from falling"
The fear of falling from grace" al
he fri In 70 10 -
sense is nowhere taught in the Bible,
Is frequently the cause of doubt and
disquietude to the believer. Through
distrust of ourselves we are appalled,
at the thought of being unable 'to
hold out" Let us recall for our en-
couragement the prayer of our Sa-
viour: holy Father, keep through
Thine own name those whom Thou
hast given me-" OF whom does the
apostle state that the inheritance, in
corruptible, undefiled, and unfading,
is reserved, but "to them who are
kept by the power of God through
faith unto salvation? Furthermore,
Notwithstanding the inf1rmity of the
flesh through which we often fall in
to sin, He is liable to present us
faultless before the presence Of His
glory with exceeding JOY"
".
cable to keep that which I have
committed to Him." Brother, sister,
hesitating between the service Of Sa-
tan and the service of God, have you
ever committed the least thing to His
holy keeping? Have we of "the
household of faith" Mr.. Ready-to-
Halt and, Mrs. Fearing,-have we
ever really entrusted to Him our
most priceless treasure? Let US pom
der the solemn question, and if our
hearts condemn us, let US now,
though late, commit the keeping of
our souls to Him in well doing, as
unto faithful Creator" assured that
"He is able to keep that which we
have committed to Him against that
day"
cable to perform what He had
promised" Abraham and Sarah real
ICED its fulfillment-the one because
fully persuaded of Gods ability, tie
other because "she judged Him faith
full who had promised" and herein
lies the secret of all such realization,
our persuasion of Gods ability and
His faithfulness. Joshua, in his last
days, testified that mot one thing
had failed of all the good things
which the Lord spake concerning the
Israelites." HE is faithful that
promised" nor will He suffer His
faithfulness to fail" ''To do exceed
ing abundantly above all that we ask
or think" How wide the range OF
our requests when we bow In prayer,