The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-08-18
There we read

There we read
the statement of his love, "for God so
loved the world" Note the sweep OF
the word world; not in this place,
does it mean the universe; but man
kind, and by it all are included. No
where is there such love as this,
love which loves the unlovable. We
love those who have that in them
which draws our love. God, on the
other hand, "commendeth his love to-
ward us in that while we were yet
sinners Christ died for u.s."
Note the intensity Of the statement
of his love, $50 loved the world"
It's little word, but what an en-
phatic one. 1t is a word Of degree,
expressing the measure Of his love
and should not be hastily passed over.
$50" puts the warmth into the state
ment; "so' expresses the fire that
burns in love, and to you and to me,
who are unworthy of Gods love, it has
a wealth of meaning
Loves Sacrifice.
But more to us than this statement,
he gave his Only begotten son." Love
is not measured by words, but by
deeds. 1t Is not what one says, but
what one does that proves his love.
Calvary is the great expression of the
love of God for the world. There God
to himself; there God broke his heart
for lost world What matchless
love! Angels and cherubim stand be-
fore it amazed, while a world wrecked
by sin is stolidly Indifferent. What
a message Calvary voices! No con-
demnation, save for him who deserved
1t not; no upbraiding of sinful
world; just the expression Of Gods
love in an act of grace which cared
for the sin of the world.
Loves Purpose.
We have here as well the purpose
Of Gods love, "that whatsoever believ-
eth in him should not perish but have
everlasting life" The statement and
the expression of Gods love find their
consummation in the purpose the sal
walton of the lost. But the salvation
of the lost is not universal, as we shall
see, for it is "whosoever believeth
shall not perish but have everlasting
life" That word, whatsoever" makes
the matter personal. 1t tells us that
God, having done his part, how leaves
ii to us to do ours. He does not
coerce or force us; he says, "whoso-
ever believeth shall not perish" While
the word whatsoever" individualiZes
for all. For who is shut out, since
"whosoever" will may come? 1t is Il
matter, then, of our own choice.
Loves Purpose Realized.
How easily the purpose of God is
realized, so far as man is concerned,
If only we choose to come. No diff
Guilty task is put before us, no inn
possible requirement, simply believing
in Christ. And this means more than
having an historical faith or a general
religious belief; it means committing
ones life to him; trusting him and
him only to save.
Why not, as you read this, trust
Christ to save you? 1t is so easy to
rely upon him. An old lady sat in a
railroad train bound for Bay City,
Mich. She had not Travelled much
and was afraid she was not on the
right train. Nervously she arose and
spoke to the woman in front of her:
as this the train for Bay City, Michi-
ganT "Yes, madam" the woman re-
piled. But the old lady was not sat
isfied. Perhaps the woman was mis-
taken. Women sometimes are mistak-
en-. A man was reading his paper
across the aisle. pardon me-" she
said, addressing the gentleman, lis
this the train for Bay City, Michigan"
"Yes, madam" he replied without
looking up. She returned to her seat
still not certain, for men sometimes
are mistaken. Just then, down the
aisle came the conductor of the train.
"EIe will know" the old lady said
to herself, "I'll ask him" Pardon
me, sir is this the train for Bay City,
Michigan" "Yes, madam" the con-
ductor replied. as he passed on. She
heaved sigh of relief, as she sank
back into her seat and, putting her
face against the window pane fell fast
asleep. What had she done? Taken
the conductor mt his word. He was a
man with authority and she trusted
him. Christ speaks to you, my friend,
he is one with authority and knows
whereof he speaks. Why not, just as
the old lady trusted the conductor,