TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
...that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3a
[1] The main end and object of the whole system of grace is that the Lord might be glorified.
This will be the ultimate result of all that God has planned and wrought for the salvation of men.
Throughout the whole dispensation of love, His attributes shine forth in their meridian splendor:
His mercy in forgiving the guilty, His justice in the death of their Substitute, His truth in fulfilling His threatening, and His faithfulness in keeping His promise--all will be made manifest to the admiring eyes of the intelligent universe. (page 133)
This will be the ultimate result of all that God has planned and wrought for the salvation of men.
Throughout the whole dispensation of love, His attributes shine forth in their meridian splendor:
His mercy in forgiving the guilty, His justice in the death of their Substitute, His truth in fulfilling His threatening, and His faithfulness in keeping His promise--all will be made manifest to the admiring eyes of the intelligent universe. (page 133)
[1] If the Lord had chosen sages and philosophers, if it had been necessary to pass through various grades of scholarship in order to obtain the favor of God, then human learning would have been considered the cause of holiness, and the university would have monopolized the glory.
This also shall not be.
Neither can riches sway the choice of heaven, nor personal beauty, nor courage, nor favor among men.
Grace, and grace alone, must reign and lift the mourners from the dunghill, while the haughty sons of pride are passed by.
This also shall not be.
Neither can riches sway the choice of heaven, nor personal beauty, nor courage, nor favor among men.
Grace, and grace alone, must reign and lift the mourners from the dunghill, while the haughty sons of pride are passed by.
[2] Moreover, the Lord has not made His selection according to natural character; for if He had in every case chosen those who have been excellent in morals from their youth up, then the honor would have been ascribed to good works, and grace would have been elbowed out of the throne.
If the good Shepherd had come only to watch over the ninety and nine that did not stray, and not to seek lost sheep, then it would have been said, "After all, these saved ones owe but little to mercy, for their admirable character lies at the root of it all."
It is all very well to talk of grace, but what sort of grace is it that comes only to the most deserving? (page 135)
If the good Shepherd had come only to watch over the ninety and nine that did not stray, and not to seek lost sheep, then it would have been said, "After all, these saved ones owe but little to mercy, for their admirable character lies at the root of it all."
It is all very well to talk of grace, but what sort of grace is it that comes only to the most deserving? (page 135)
Thanks to Bing's free images for the image of the holly tree cutting gracing the little candle, at top of this blog post.
Mahalia Jackson is unparalleled as a singer of gospel songs. She rejected offers to sing popular songs. You can hear her sing "Amazing Grace" via YouTube video embedded in right column.
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