THE Lord loves His people naturally, as parents love their children; freely, without any cause whatever in them. He looks for nothing in them to move Him to love; nor will He allow any thing in them to prevent His love. He loves them as vessels of mercy, disciples of Jesus, as bearing His image, His name, and His nature. His love to them is infinite, fruitful, and unchangeable. He will love them, though they deserve hatred, merit wrath, and may be justly sentence to perdition. Beloved, let us never look into ourselves to find out the cause of God's love; it is in Him, not in us; but let us believe Him when He says, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love.", Let us plead with Him, encouraged by the words of Jesus, "The Father Himself loveth you." Let us rejoice before Him, and praise Him for distinguishing grace. If He will love, who shall forbid Him? If He will love us, who shall dispute with Him? If He love us, as His word testifies He does, who shall estimate the honor, the advantage, or the happiness, which will eternally flow from His love? All glory to free grace.
O Jesus, full of truth and grace, More full of grace than I of sin; Yet once again I seek Thy face; Open the ark and take me in: And freely my backsliding heal, And love the faithless sinner still.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
THE Lord loves His people naturally, as parents love their children; freely, without any cause whatever in them. He looks for nothing in them to move Him to love; nor will He allow any thing in them to prevent His love. He loves them as vessels of mercy, disciples of Jesus, as bearing His image, His name, and His nature. His love to them is infinite, fruitful, and unchangeable. He will love them, though they deserve hatred, merit wrath, and may be justly sentence to perdition. Beloved, let us never look into ourselves to find out the cause of God's love; it is in Him, not in us; but let us believe Him when He says, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love.", Let us plead with Him, encouraged by the words of Jesus, "The Father Himself loveth you." Let us rejoice before Him, and praise Him for distinguishing grace. If He will love, who shall forbid Him? If He will love us, who shall dispute with Him? If He love us, as His word testifies He does, who shall estimate the honor, the advantage, or the happiness, which will eternally flow from His love? All glory to free grace.
O Jesus, full of truth and grace, More full of grace than I of sin; Yet once again I seek Thy face; Open the ark and take me in: And freely my backsliding heal, And love the faithless sinner still.