Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 122, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1917 — The Returning Saint [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Returning Saint

By REV. JAMES M. GRAY, D. D.

Dean of Moody Bible Institute, Chicago *

TEXT—Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold’me with thy free spirit.—Psalm 51:12. This is one of the best-known and thost highly praised Psalms of David,

jjrieh one has called, “the mold or .experience of a sinning** saint vfrho comes baek to God in full communion and service.” David, - It must b e remembered, was a man at one time in full communion with God, even though he so greatly sinned; as this Psftlm indicates. Through a sudden and strong temptation he committed the

gross sin of adultery, and then even tried to cover over some of the effects of it by being accessory to the sin of murder. Nevertheless, and because he did really know God, his conviction of sin in the premises nearly broke his heart. His cry of repentance and ZpeaL for inercy—are-recorded in this. Psalm, whose wail of sorrow and subsequent shout of joy have been heard through all the ages bringing instruction and comfort to many another sinning saint. It Is for this reason so instructive for us to observe how David returned to God. First of all, he clqarij definitely judged his own sin "Before God. This is expressed in the first six verses of the Psalm where he cries out for mercy, acknowledging his guilt and pleading for a thorough cleansing from his iniquity. Forgiveness and Cleansing. In the next division of the Psalm we see forgiveness and cleansing accorded him and secured on his part by faith in Abe-atoning -blood. This Is expressed in verses 7-40, in the symbolism of the hyssop, in the washing of his soul until it is whiter than snow, in the blotting out of his iniquity, and in the creation within him of a clean heart. We now see the restored one filled with the Spirit of God, in verses 11-17. He is filled with the joy of salvation; he Is filled with power to teach transgressors and convert sinners; he is filled with the spirit of service and with the spirit of worship as Indicated in his overflowing praise, ahd the presentation unto God of the sacrifice of a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Finally he is seen in fellowship with God and interested now, not so much in things concerning himself, as in the things that concern God. His cry is, “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem.” The Same Truth in the New Testament. One finds all the more encouragement to urge this because the same truth, only put in another way, Is set before us again in the New Testament. Y’ou will find it in the First Epistle .of John, chapter I, verse 9, where, addressing Christian believers, he says, “If we confess our sins, He (i. e. God), is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Because a man is saved by Goal’s grace through faith in Christ, 1. e„ because he is a true Christian believer, is not to say that he will never again commit a sin against God. It Is indeed his privilege, through the power of God’s spirit dwelling within him, to continually live a life of victory over sin, and yet, like David, he may fall. Under such circumstances, what is he to do? Has he lost out again? Has he utterly fallen never to be restored any more? Has Christ’s sacrifice foreVer lost its efficacy for him? No, thank God, Christ, as his high priest in heaven, ever liveth to make Intercession for him. And now, like David again, it is for him to judge his sin before God, for that is really |he meaning of the word, "confess;” Let him do this, and he will find God “faithful and just to forgive” him. “Faithful” to his promise that means, and “just” because Jesus Christ has paid the penalty of his sin.' “Merciful and Just.” That word “Just” is full of strength and comfort for us. God is not only “merciful” in forgiving the man who comes to him through Christ, but he is “just" in doing so. He Is “just” because that man’s sins have already been atoned for on the cross. and it would be unjust* to ignore that great fact and to cast the man away. This is a lesson for Christian backsliders, and alas! there are many of _them_ln—the—church. — Sume of them would gladly return to the father’s house, but they are timid and fearful and so discouraged. But let them take heart hgSlm’fdf God loYes and yeafiii oyer them. The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 was-meant for them. That which he-dld Insured a loving welcome for him in his old home, and so let them follow his example as outlined ini the language of Psalm 51 and I John 1:9. They also will be met in. the sameAvay, and know what it Is to have the old joy of their salvation re* stored unto them, because by grace they will be cleansed from all unright* eousness.