The Alaska citizen., 1916-03-06

"Thcrrfore it is of faith, that it might be by grace" Romans 4:10.
 You have asked yourself the ques- ti'n nnrfa ars Why arc wa savcl by faitho" The reason why faith has been chosen as the channel of salvation instead of hope, or love, or patience may not be clearly re vealed to the followers of Christ but it is certainly the fact as con cerns the channel of our eternal welfare IL is surely the teaching of the Holy Spirit and the ordinance of God "Therefore tt is of faith, that ii might be by grace
 1 Full modesty becomes the an swering of such question, for We do not always understand Gods ways; nor are we allowed presump- tuously to question them. Humhly we would reply that as far as can ha asocrtainel faith has beon chos- en as the channel of salvation be- cause there appears to be a natural adaptation in faith to be used as a receiver When you are giving a poor man bit of money you put it into his hand It would be ab- surd to place it on his head or throw # at his feet; the hand seems made on purpose to receive it Tho analo"v holds in cu~ rnon+al frame and it seems most beftting that the man should receive saliva tion by the hand of faith.
 Now it is a very simple thing for a child to receive an apple; yet tt involves two very vital truths, viz, that you have an apple to give, and tho child q desire to receive. Grace holds out the ample: faith receives it and approDriates it. What the child's hand is to the apple your faith i- to salvation; and 1t is just as ooev. iret os efnn1o T@o cNild's hand did not make the apple. nor improve the apple nor deserve the apple: the hand of tho child only takes it. Faith is chosen of God to receive salvatiOn it does not make it. it does not improve, 1t does not deserve it; it only takes it. Faith is the tongue that begs pardon, the hand which receives it. and the eye which sees it; but it is not the price which buys it. Faiths prerogative Is not to make itself it's own plea. but to rest wholly on the blood of Jesus Christ for salvation The riches of the Lord Jesus are brought to the soul through faith which has been en- trusted by grace,
 9 Faith could have been selected because it gives all the glory to god "ThoroFore it is of faith that it might be by grace" and it is of grace that there might be no hoasting God has no use for a boaster "The proud he knoweth afar off, "ard he has no wish 10 come nearer to them" It is certain that God will not give salvation in a way that will suggest or foster pride. Not of works lest any man should boast" Faith ever eX- cludes all boasting, It would be absurd for the hand receiving charity to say, "Now thank me, for I re ceived this for you" Would you that had conveyed food to the mouth Now thank me, for I have fed you" It is a very simple thing that the hand does, and the body would die without it's minis trations, but you see no boastine on the part of the hand but just service. So faith is selected of Cod to receive the great riches He has to give through His Son, be cause faith cannot take to itself any credit, but must honor the gracious God who gives the gift of His love. The Lord knows well the office of faith SO He sail. "Tny faith hath saved thee. go in peace" "
 3. Again, God selected faith as the channel of salvation for it is sure method linking man with God. For man to confide In God makes q point of union between God and man, and that union as sures blessing. As the limpet clings to the rock, and knows only to cling so faith clinos to God and grows stronger In clineing. It is said that there were two men wrecked In boat above Niagara Falls. Immediately they began to float down the stream toward the certain death awaiting them unless rescued A rope was conveyed to one from the shore at which he grasped eagerly and was thus con nected to safety and restoration The other climbed upon a large loe floating past instead of graspine the rope as did his companion. He felt sense of safety as he rode seemingly in perfect security. Alas, the log went over the abyss witf It's human cargo. for the simple reason that 1t was not connected with the shore. The size, or the
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