Sharp County record., 1917-03-30

| 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 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 u.s."
Note the intensity Of the statement
Of his love, $50 loved the world"
It's a 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; $50" expresses the fire that
burns in love, and to you and to me,
who are unworthy Of Gods love, 1t has
wealth Of meaning.
Loves Sacrifice.
But more to 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. It 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
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 1t amazed, while world wrecked
by sin Is stolidly Indifferent. What
a message Calvary voices No con-
demnation, save for him who deserved
It not; no upbraiding Of q 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 we'll the purpose
Of Gods love, "that whosoever believ-
eth in him should not perish but have
everlasting life.' The statement and
the expression Of Gods love find their
consummatlon In the purpose the sal
vation Of the lost. But the salvation
Of the lost Is not universal, as we shall
| see, for 1t Is whatsoever believeth
shall not perish but have everlasting
life" That word, whatsoever" makes
the matter personal. 1t tells US that
God, having done his part, now leaves
| IL to us to do ours He does not
coerce or force us; he says, "whoso-
ever beleveth shall not perish While
| the word "whosoever" individuallzes
salvation, IL makes a wide open door
for all. For who Is shut out, since
"whosoever' will may conner It Is a
matter, then, Of our own choice.
Loves Purpose Realized,
How easily the purpose Of God Is
realized so far NJ man IL concerned,
Il only we choose to come. No diff
Guilty task Is put before us, no i'm.
possible requirement, simply believing
in Christ, And this means more than
having IN historical faith or n general
religious belief; II means committing
ones life to him; trusting him and
him only to save.
Why not, as you reDd this, trust
Christ to save your II Is 80 ensy to
rely upon him, An old lady sat In
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
"Is this the troIn for Bay City, MlchI-
g0nT "Yes, mndnm," tho woman re.
piled. But the old lady was not sat
lslled Perhaps the woman was mis-
taken. Women sometimes are mlstak.
en-. A man was reading his paper
across the aisle. "purdon me-" she
sud, addressing the gentleman, "ls
this the train for Bay City, Michigan
"Nes, madam" he replied without
looking up, She returned to her seaf
still not certnln, for men sometimes
ARE mistaken. Just then, down the
uisle came the conductor Of the train.
"llo will know the old lady said
TO herself "rll ask him." "pnrdon
me, sir, IL this the train for bay City,
Michigan" "Yes, madam" tho con.
ductor replied, rs he passed on, She
hcuyed II sigh OF relief, os she SINK
back into her geat md, putting her
fnce against the window pane fell fast
nsleep, Whit had she done7 Taken
The conductor at his word. He was Il
man with authority and she trusted
him. Christ speaks TO YOU, my friend,
he IL ono with authority and knows
whereof he speaks, Why not, Just as
the old lady trusted the conductor,
sweetly trust him and haze life and