God” (1 Thess. ii. 2, iii. 9; 1 Cor. vi. 11). As in the still more personal phrase, “My God,” which we find about seven times in his writings, St. Paul expresses his consciousness of personal possession and the blessed reality of fellowship with God. “This God is our God,” as the Psalmist says.

Christ is the Channel of grace. The Lord Jesus Christ being associated with God in this connection is a reminder that it is “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” as much as the grace of our God. He mediates grace to us, and through faith in Christ we are linked to God as the “God of all grace.”

What a cheer and inspiration it is to have the assurance and guarantee that even a prayer like this, with its high standard and far-reaching possibilities, can and will be answered. Christianity provides not only an appeal, but a dynamic. He Who bids, enables; He Who calls, provides. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is at once a precept, a promise, a provision, and a power. The religions of the world often tell us to “Be good,” but it is left for Christianity to proclaim that “He died to make us good.” As a result, the Christian can say with Augustine: “Give what Thou commandest and then command what Thou wilt.” That is: “Only give me the spiritual power, and then I can do anything that Thou requirest of me.” As the Psalmist cried: “I will run in the path of Thy commandments, when Thou hast set my heart at liberty.”

Thus the Christian life is at once a life of Grace and a life of Glory. “First Grace, then Glory.” “No Grace, no Glory.” “More Grace, more Glory.” “If Grace, then Glory.”

“Grace, ’tis a charming sound,
Harmonious to the ear;
Heaven with the echo shall resound,
And all the earth shall hear.”

IV.

LOVE AND PEACE.

IV.

LOVE AND PEACE.