The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-08-18
There we rea

Inere we rehu
the statement of his love, "for God SO
loved the world" Note the sweep Of
the word world; not in this place,
does IL mean the universe; hut man.
kind, and by II all are included. No
where is there such a love as this, a
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 us"
Note the intensity of the statement
Of his love, $50 loved the world"
It's little word, but what an EN-
phatic one. IL is word OF degree,
expressing the measure OF his love
and should not be hastily passed over.
$50" puts the warmth into the state
ment; $50" expresses the fire that
burns in love, and to you and to me,
who are unworthy of Gods love, IL has
"a wealth OF meaning.
Loves Sacrifice.
But more 10 us than this statement,
is the expression Of Gods love, that
he gave his only begotten son." Love
is not measured by words, but by
deeds. 1t IL 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
was In Christ, reconciling the world
to himself; there God broke his heart
for a lost world. What matchless
love! Angels and cherubim stand be-
fore IL amazed, while world wrecked
by sin is stolldly Indifferent. What
message Calvary voices No con-
demnation, save for him who deserved
it not; no upbralding 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 whosoever bcliev-
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 IL is "whosoever believeth
shall not perish but have everlasting
life" That word, whatsoever" makes
the matter personal. IL tells US that
God, having done his part, now leaves
IL to us to 10 ours. He does not
coerce or force us; he says, "whoso-
ever believeth shall not perish" While
the word whatsoever" individualizes
salvation, II makes a wide open door
for all. For who is shut out, since
whatsoever" 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,
IL only we choose 10 come. No diff
Guilty task is put before us, no i'm
possible requirement. simply believing
I'm Christ. And this means more than
having an historical faith or general
religious belief; 1t 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 I'm 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 10 the woman In front Of her
"Is this the train for Bay City, Micbl-
ganf "Yes, madam" the woman re-
,.If D,.t H.. .fI L.
isfed. 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. "is
this the train for Bay City. Michigan
"Yes, madam" he replied without
looking up. She returned TO her seat
still mot certain, for men sometimes
are mistaken. Just then, down the
aisle came the conductor Of the train.
"He 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 a sigh of relief. as she sank
back into her seat and. putting her
face against the window pane fell fast
asleep. What had she done7 Taken
the conductor at 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.
sweetly trust him and have life and
peace1