Glad Tidings of Full Pardon

"The word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe." —I Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV]

A proclamation of grace from an earthly king has reduced the most desperate and hardened rebels to lay down their arms and promise true allegiance. But though the word of God is a proclamation of free grace, glad tidings of full pardon; though replete with the most tender expostulations and the most endearing invitations, yet so abominable is our perverseness, so daring our obstinacy, that we should remain deaf to every call, and continue hardened in our rebellion against the most high God, till we fall victims to His justly deserved wrath. 

For unbelief shuts up every avenue of the soul against the light, truth, peace, and love of the word of God. But, O amazing love! Lie in the dust, O my soul! adore the power of our all-conquering Saviour! The gracious Spirit makes gracious words effectual. Hence faith esteems every portion of the gospel as the food, the life, the joy of the soul. By the agency of the Spirit the word becomes powerful to beget faith, and then works effectually in believing hearts. Those speak unadvisedly who call the word of God a dead letter. 

Indeed St. Paul saith, "the letter killeth;" but this can never prove God's word to be dead. That which is dead itself cannot kill. We should distinguish between the letter of the law that killeth all flesh, and the gospel of grace that worketh life and salvation in all who believe. When we read the word of God, we should never consider it distinct from the essential and personal word, JESUS. He is emphatically styled the word of God—Revelation 19:13. 

He Who executed all the purposes of the word of truth, works effectually in the hearts of the children of faith. Hence, the once despised and lightly esteemed Nazarene is known, believed in, and loved as most precious; "the chiefest among ten thousand, yea as altogether lovely." God's precious promises in Jesus, once wholly unregarded, are now sweetly prized: they are beheld as sweetly ranged and profusely scattered through every page of the lively oracles. The Spirit's holy gifts and sanctifying graces are pleaded as God's blessed charter of free-grace. 

All His sovereign edicts and absolute declarations of grace and salvation, instead of being proudly caviled against, are bowed to with humility. In the word of our King there is power. Sin and Satan are dethroned in the heart, and Jesus rules and reigns in the soul. Thus the word of God is quick and powerful; thus it works effectually to salvation. 

This is the word of truth and love 

Sent to the nations from above; 

Jehovah in His word doth shew 

What His almighty arm can do. 

May but this grace my soul renew, 

Let sinners gaze and hate me too; 

The word that saves me does engage 

A sure defence from all their rage.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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