More Good News About Grace - submitted by Patsy Parkey

Patsy sent me this today. It is from Charles Spurgeon's devotionals, Mornings and Evenings, for today, Dec 3. I read this devotional collection often, but somehow missed this one. (My favorite is June 28 -- I usually carry that one in my purse and hand it out in all my Bible classes --) Anyway, it is a great book. I use Alistair Begg's edition of it and can get it for $15. Let me know if you want a copy.

So here it is: December 3.
Song of Songs 4
There Is No Flaw In You

Having pronounced His Church positively full of beauty, our Lord confirms His praise by a precious negative: "There is no flaw in you." As if the thought occurred to the Bridegroom and the complaining world would insinuate that He had only highlighted her good parts and had purposely not mentioned those features that were deformed or defiled, in summary, He declares her universally and entirely beautiful and utterly devoid of flaws.

A spot can easily be removed and is the very last thing that can disfigure beauty, but even from this little blemish the believer is delivered in his Lord's sight. If He had said there is no hideous scar, no horrible deformity, no deadly ulcer, we might even then have marveled; but when He testified that she is free from the slightest flaw, all these other forms of defilement are included, and the depth of wonder is increased.

If He had simply promised to remove all flaws later on, we would still have eternal reason for joy; but when He speaks of it as already done, it fills us with a deep sense of satisfaction and delight. My soul, here is spiritual food for you; digest it properly, and be satisfied with the royal provision.

Christ Jesus has no quarrel with His spouse. She often wanders from Him and grieves His Holy Spirit, but He does not allow her faults to affect His love.

He sometimes rebukes, but it is always in a tender manner, with the kindest of intentions: It is "my love" even then. There is no remembrance of our follies. He does not cherish ill thoughts of us, but He pardons and loves equally after the offense as before it. {Note: Is this the best news you have ever heard?...no remembrance of our follies...does not keep ill thoughts of us...loves equally after the offense as before it...can it get any better than this? Glorya}

If Jesus were as mindful of injuries as we are, how could He commune with us? Too often a believer will put himself out of humor with the Lord for some slight turn in providence, but our precious Husband knows our silly hearts too well to take any offense at our ill manners.

{Thank you, Patsy, for sending me this!}