Acts 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; I. THIS DECLARATION SHEDS CONSIDERABLE LIGHT ON GOD HIMSELF, who is underived, unconditioned, everlasting, and the source of all other life throughout the universe. We have to do with a "living God"; therefore let us have no dead souls or dead services. II. HOW MAY THIS TRUTH APPLY TO THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION? God is all fulness of being, excellency, and blessing; yet He has condescended to propose reconciliation to men. The advantage here is altogether on the side of men. And what an advantage it is f It is the fulness, the power, of the rich God spreading Himself out through the entire nature of man; so that he feels he is invested with every attribute God possesses. When man is thus brought into union with the rich God, he receives two things which constitute his spiritual life. 1. A consciousness of his relationship to God. A living consciousness that we are "His offspring, in whom we live and move and have our being." That feeling is worth the universe. Man is a child of God, whether he feels it or not; he has not lost his relationship to God. What has he lost by sin? (1) The filial character. All likeness to God's character. (2) Sympathy to the Father. He does not love what God loves, nor hate what God hates. (3) The knowledge of God to a great extent. Not altogether. He is far from God, as an isolated being. Man has not the slightest formal knowledge of Him as his Father. (4) Every disposition to return to God. 2. But when the poor sinner comes to the rich God what takes place? (1) There is a quickening sense of his relationship. He says, "I am not worthy to be called Thy son." Then he says, "Talk to me about my Father." The soul sympathises with God till it has impressed on it God's character. (2) There is a right in all the privileges involved in the relationship (Romans 8:17). Think how Christ is the heir of God; think of His position, offices, glory; then imagine yourselves to be in a state of approximation to Him; and then feel what it is to be enriched with the riches of God. III. GOD HAS NO NEEDS. THEN HE IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE TO FINISH THE WORK OF REDEMPTION. If He has all power, He is able to work out men's salvation. Man has not a fixed purpose. God has a clear, definite conception of the Divine scheme of salvation. God is so in love with His purpose of saving man there is no fear of His giving it up. Men often fail in their purposes in consequence of impediments. God, who is the Creator of heaven and earth, has dominion over all things. IV. GOD HAS NO NEEDS. THEN HE COULD HAVE NO MOTIVES IN REDEMPTION BUT GENEROSITY. (Caleb Morris.) Parallel Verses KJV: Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; |
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