the grace of God : " By the grace of God I am what I am." What then must they do who are yet afar off from God, and have no part with the Apostle either in his privileges or attainments? Let them seek grace from God: let them not trust in their own goodness or strength, but look simply to the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom " they may both obtain mercy, and find grace to help them in the time of need." If only they will renounce all dependence on themselves, they shall receive from the God of all grace a sufficiency for all their wants.]
2. For our encouragement —
[Who is it that utters the acknowledgment in our text? What, Saul? Saul the blasphemer ; Saul the persecutor ? Yes, it is even so. But tell us, Paul, what thou didst to obtain this grace? Didst thou not earn it? No. Didst thou not merit it ? No. Didst thou not even seek it ? No. And yet it was given thee ? Yes, when I was in the very act of fighting against God with all my might. Then who shall despair? Who shall say. The grace of God can never reach me ; or, if given, can never operate effectually in me? Verily, no man on this side the grave has any reason to despair. Hear what the Apostle says : he tells us that God's particular design in so converting him was, to keep all others from despair; and to make him a pattern and example of his long-suffering to all future generations y. Hear this, ye who are ready to entertain desponding fears ; and know assuredly, that God's grace is his own ; that he may give it to whomsoever he will ; and that there is not a creature in the universe for whom it shall not be effectual, if he will but seek it in sincerity and truth.]
y 1 Tim. i. 16.