THE BLESSING CAN BE RECOVERED Part 1
The wisdom of the fathers
THE BLESSING CAN BE RECOVERED Part 1
THERE is no doubt that the beautiful and restful grace of [complete] sanctification, which many have lost, can be possessed again. It may be difficult so to convince the one whose heart is empty and aching from the spiritual bereavement that such may be the case, but it is none the less true.
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The mind is never more painfully fertile than at such a time to recall and construct arguments and illustrations to prove that the present wretchedness must continue, that the loss is irreparable and there is and can be no hope. Moreover, it is the will of Satan whose devices are numerous and powerful to keep the soul in gloom with a view to its ultimate despair.
One paralyzing thought he delights to urge upon the holiness backslider is that he has sinned against so much light, there is and can be no pardon for the offense. That the very greatness of the blessing parted with constitutes the enormity of the sin. So tempest-tossed and bewildered is the backslider, that he overlooks the fact that Satan does not call attention to the magnitude of grace and the almighty power of the Blood to cleanse.
The great enemy is simply anxious for the soul to notice the depths of its fall without pointing it to the heights of salvation, nor gracious uplifting power of the Son of God. Happy is the man who at such a time will recall the verse, "Where sin has abounded, grace much more abounds.'' The blessed thought should thrill us that Divine Love has stooped lower than man fell. "That earth has no sorrow which heaven can not cure."
A second distressing thought presented to the wanderer at this time is the case of Esau. The Tempter gloats over the case as he reminds the man that the Bible itself says that although Esau sought his forfeited blessing ''carefully with tears,'' he could not find it again. He does not tell the sorrowing one that this does not refer to the salvation of the soul, but to Esau's loss, through the sold birthright, of being in the Messianic line. Who believes that God would reject any one who came, with tears and repentance asking forgiveness? A temporal blessing may indeed by one act of folly be finally lost, but departed spiritual grace, thank God, can be recovered.
(from "Sanctified Life" by Rev. Carradine)