Grace abounding E-Book

C. H. Spurgeon

• Herausgeber: Editora Oxigênio
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Seitenzahl: 36

Beschreibung

Grace abounding is one important bible study about the Grace of God. A book that will bring growth and knowledge about grace, salvation and invite him to live with greater intimacy with God. Written by Charles Spurgeon, important preacher Christian.

Leseprobe

INTRODUCTION

GRACE ABOUNDING

BY THE REV. C. H. SPURGEON

“I will love them freely.”

Hosea 14:4.

This sentence is a body of divinity in miniature. He who understands its meaning is a theologian, and he who can dive into its fullness is a true Master in divinity!

“I will love them freely,” is a condensation of the glorious message of salvation which was delivered to us in Christ Jesus our Redeemer. The sense hinges upon the word “freely.” “I will love them freely.” Here is the glorious, the suitable, the divine way by which love streams from heaven to earth!

It is, indeed, the only way in which God can love such as we are. It may be that He can love angels because of their goodness; but He could not love us for that reason. The only manner in which love can come from God to fallen creatures is expressed in the word “freely.” Here we have spontaneous love flowing forth to those who neither deserved it, purchased it, nor sought after it!

Since the word “freely” is the very keynote of the text, we must observe its common meaning among men. We use the word “freely” for that which is given without money and without price. It is opposed to all idea of bargaining, to all acceptance of an equivalent, or that which might be construed into an equivalent. A man is said to give freely when he bestows his charity on applicants simply on the ground of their poverty, hoping for nothing to gain.

A man distributes freely, when, without asking any compensation, he finds it more blessed to give than to receive. Now, God’s love comes to men all free and unbought without our having merit to deserve or money to procure it. I know it is written, “Come, buy wine and milk,” but is it not added, “Without money and without price”? “I will love them freely.” That is, “I will not accept their works in barter for My love; I will not receive their love as a recompense for Mine; I will love them, all unworthy and sinful though they are.”

Men give “freely” when there is no inducement.

A great many presents of late have been given to the Princess of Wales, and it is well and good; but the position of the Princess is such that we do not view it as any great liberality to subscribe to a diamond necklace, since those who give are honored by her acceptance. Now, the freeness of God’s love is shown in this that the objects of it are utterly unworthy, can confer no honor, and have no position to be an inducement to bless them.

The Lord loves them freely. Some persons are very generous to their own relations, but here, again, they can hardly be said to be free, because the tie of blood compels them; their own children, their own brother, their own sister if men will not be generous here, they must be mean through and through! But the generosity of our God is commended to us in that He loved His enemies, and while we were yet sinners, in due time Christ died for us!

The word “freely” is “exceedingly broad” when used in reference to God’s love to men. He selects those who have not the shadow of a claim upon Him, and sets them among the children of His heart!

We use the word “freely,” when a favor is conferred without its being sought. It can hardly be said that our king in the old histories pardoned the citizens of Calais freely when his Queen had first to prostrate herself before him, and with many tears to induce him to be merciful. He was gracious, but he was not free in his grace! When a person has been long dogged by a beggar in the streets, though he may turn round and give liberally to be rid of the clamorous applicant, he does not give “freely.”