WHERE GRACE SETS US

^[p. 203] WHERE GRACE SETS US

We see in John 4 the wonderful new style in which the desolate sinner was to come out in the very place of all her sorrow and disgrace as to herself; and to God — worshipping the Father; therefore it is in advance of the prodigal son. It is the divine advancement in man from chapter 2, which is man’s best — there was a marriage feast, and also the best for God — the temple at Jerusalem; both a sad failure. How wonderful and blessed is grace!

I have been much interested in seeing the effect the goal has on our course. You cannot rise higher than your goal. In fact if you were spiritually observant you might tell every one’s goal by his walk or course. You cannot alter your course unless you alter your goal.... I was speaking on Luke 14; there we get something beyond the forgiveness of sins, there is our new place with God. I am sure the great lack in souls, and what hinders progress, is that they confine their attention to deliverance from guilt, and do not comprehend the new place for the man once lost, but now found, and fitted for the new place. I sometimes feel as if one had not a full conception of what a Christian is.