When through the blood of the everlasting covenant we children of the shadows reach at last our home in the light; we shall have a thousand strings to our harps, but the sweetest may well be the one tuned to sound forth most perfectly the mercy of God.
For what right will we have to be there? Did we not by our sins take part in that unholy rebellion which rashly sought to dethrone the glorious King of creation? And did we not in times past walk according to the course of this world, according to the evil prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience? And did we not all at once live in the lusts of our flesh? And were we not by nature the children of wrath, even as others?
But we who were one time enemies and alienated in our minds through wicked works shall then see God face to face and His name shall be in our foreheads. We who earned banishment shall enjoy communion; we who deserve the pains of hell shall know the bliss of heaven. And all through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us.
When all Thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I’m lost
In wonder, love, and praise.
--Joseph Addison
[Taken from The Knowledge of the Holy One, A. W. Tozer, page 109]
5 comments:
"We who earned banishment shall enjoy communion"
Amen!
Tozer reminds me of Pascal's point of knowing from what great height that we fell from our original intended state in Eden to separation from our Creator Father God due to sin, then till today. Then we see with our mind the great sacrifice made by God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) to redeem the soul of the ones who repent and accept the free giftof forgiveness, adoption, and eternal life int he Kingdom of Heaven by His undeserved grace and mercy through Jesus on that Cross.
This also causes me to think about those whose sins take part in that unholy rebellion still, which rashly seek to dethrone the glorious King of creation? Who continue walk according to the course of this world, according to the evil prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience? Who maintain a lifestyle in the lusts of our flesh? And are abide by nature as the children of wrath?
Those who persist as enemies and alienated in our minds through wicked works shall that shall soon see God face to face on Judgement Day. Those who earned banishment and shall neve enjoy communion; those who deserve the pains of hell and shall never know the bliss of heaven. Yes, we are to remember His sacrifice for our salvation and rejoice, but we also have a "Great Commission" to seek, with compassion and the love of Christ, and save the lost, while there is still time; to affect and make a different in our homes, our community, our state, nation & world ... for Christ's sake and the glory of God.
Most Inspirational Gregg Thanks for sharing.
Yvonne.
Amen! I deserve nothing but eternal damnation and separation from God forever and ever.
It's Only because of the sinless Son of God shedding His blood for my sins that I will inherit the Kingdom of God. Praise His Holy Name!!!
Luke 19:10 (New King James Version)
for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Ron).
Thanks for posting this, Gregg. We can never hear too much of God's mercy and grace to undeserving sinners. We can never thank Him too much either.
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