The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1922-05-18

help this. Three
things are responsible: deceitful
heart that is incurably wicked: an
elusive world fascinating with its vain
glory mighty spiritual potentate,
directing the affairs of this worlds
system. Before this trinity of evil,
man Is helpless as lamb among
wolves, or child In den of lions.
lie sways like sapllng In the tenn
pest, tossed like ship in the storm,
driven like slave before the lash. In
his vain struggles against these
mighty forces, he grows discouraged
and respondent, crying out in the
midst of the uncertain, changing vicis-
STUDIES of life: "Oh, where shall rest
be found?" How comforting then is
the message of the text: "Jesus Christ
the same yesterday, and today, and
forever"
The walls of the room in the
Moody Bible Institute, formerly &C.
cupied by its revered founder, are
covered with photographs of those
who were friends and contemporaries
Of the great evangelist. These have
passed from the scenes of their labors,
but over the mantel hangs a significant
motto containing these two words
Thou Remainest," ever reminding us
that while men come and men go, the
Lord Jesus Christ is still the unchang-
ing One, so that the despairlng cries
of helpless man can be phrased in the
song-prayer "Oh, Thou who changest
not, abide with me-"
(1) His Person Is Unchanaing.-
This is not true of any other. All men
grow old with the years. The family
album is the best commentary on the
changes we undergo. The text hangs
O portrait of One who changes not.
He is the unchanging and unchange-
able One, the eternal God, before all,
in all, beyond all, above all; the
alpha and Omega; the beginning and
the end.
He wants us to be linked up with
Himself so that we shall take on this
same unchanging, immovable char
acter.
(2) His Purpose Unchanging.-
known unto God are all His works
from the beginning of the world"
(Acts. $3.50 In the eternal past,
God purposed what He would do. He
carefully planned to work out that
purpose. He knew just what would
happen from century to century. He
made provision beforetime. In spite
of all chance and change, He will per-
feet the counsel of His will. "All
things were created for His pleasure"
God rejoiced in the goodness and glory
of His handiwork. The rebellion of
Satan brought ruin, chaos and destruc-
ton into the world of beauty and
order. But God knew this would come
to pass, so He provided redemptions
plan that wonld, through the Lamb
slain and salvation manifest, make
more glorious His creation In the
times of restitution. God is not de-
feated, for grace is more glorious than
creative innocence. He redeemed a
lost world before 1t was sold under sin.
He ransomed It, before it was taken
captive; He reconciled 1t, before 1t
rebelled. His purpose Is inconceivable
glory and blessedness. He will perfect
His work no matter what turmoil,
strife and enmity may oppose. He will
fulfill all His purpose and do all His
pleasure. He wants to teach us TO
work with Him, according to His plan
so that our work shall abide; that we
may build not of hay, wood or stubble,
TO be burned. but gold, silver and
precious stones, the richest adjoining
for the Bridal City of the King Of
Kings. Shall we not say: "Thy will
be done in me, Lord"
(3) His Passion Unchanging.-
God is love-" Having loved His
own, He loved them unto the end"
He has one irresistible impulse, one
unchanging motive-the Calvary pas
sion where God himself in Christ was
the lamb slain for us. "Oh, twas love,
twas wondrous love, the love OF God
TO me; 1t brought my Savior from
above TO die on Calvary" Christ
wants us to be inseparably united with
Him so that we may have an
unchanging passion toward the sim
ner. Oh, that our love may be like
His