35. Labor In Vain

Labour In Vain "The people shall weary themselves for very vanity."—Habakkuk 2:13.

"By the works of the law shall no flesh he justified."—Galatians 2:16. The "Daily News" June 18th, has the following:—"The man in the old legend set out to sail to the happy islands. He encountered many storms, lost many companions, and was worn and weak before he landed, and then he found that he had only come back to his starting-point, the island where his home was. He had sailed round the world for that. He was not praised as a navigator or a philosopher." This legendary personage accurately symbolizes those who start upon the adventurous voyage of salvation-by-self. They are lured onward by a vain imagination, and they enter upon an enterprise which will utterly exhaust them, and bring them no desirable result. In their laborious efforts to discover a righteousness of their own they will see many companions wrecked at their side, and if they themselves are fortunate enough to sail onward along the track of morality, bearing aloft the flag of respectability, they will nevertheless find little comfort therein. If at all enlightened by divine grace they will remain as dissatisfied as ever after all their doings and feelings, worshippings and pleadings and almsgivings; despite their self-reliant diligence they will have made no progress towards the desired haven. Like Vander-decken in his endless sailings they are doomed to a fruitless toil. It must be so. Beaten back after all his efforts the moralist makes no headway.

Why is this? Let Scripture answer—Because they seek it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. Paul in his day bore witness of many self-righteous persons that they had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." Successors to these persons are still among us, rolling up-hill the stone of Sisyphus with no more success than he. The most earnest self-savers will come back to their starting-point disappointed and despairing. What a pity it is that they should be so infatuated as to go far to seek after that which lies so near at hand! The Holy Spirit says," The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart." What can be possibly nearer than that which is absolutely in the mouth? Let no man be so set on mischief, so desperately resolved to destroy his own soul, as to reject that heavenly bread which almighty grace puts into his mouth. Wherefore attempt to climb to heaven or to descend into the deep? Why practise penance or pursue a weary round of ceremonies? Why despond and look within, and argue and despair? Is not the gospel message clear enough?" Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

"Hard lot of man—to toil for the reward He that would win the race must guide his horse Obedient to the customs of the course;

Else, though unequall'd to the goal he flies, A meaner than himself shall gain the prize.

Grace leads the right way,if you choose the wrong.

Take it and perish, but restrain your tongue;

Charge not, with light sufficient and left free, Your wilful suicide on God's decree."