Beauty For Ashes

Originally Published in 1896


Throughout the Scriptures we are taught the infinite frailty and weakness of men; and even the best of men are set forth as having no strength of their own. Abraham said he was "but dust and ashes." Isaiah said, "We all do fade as a leaf." Job said, "I abhor myself." Paul said, "I am less than the least of all saints." And Jesus said, "Without Me you can do nothing." All strength must be imparted to the soul from God. There are some few characters in the Bible against whom no blemish is mentioned; but in those characters it is recorded that all their goodness was imparted. They claim nothing of and from themselves. It is possible that in six thousand years there have lived a few persons whose hearts never consciously wandered from God. Doubtless there are many who have had many wanderings, without the humility or the fullness of light to perceive or confess it. And the millions of God's children have been painfully conscious of shortcomings -- backslidings of greater or less extent. Living as we are, in th e state of probation, there is no degree of grace which may not be lost; and this is consistent with the doctrine so clearly taught in many Scriptures, that a saint may feel assured of his ultimate salvation. In the passage of Corinthians which says, "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall," the original tells us, "Let him that assuredly standeth take heed"; that is, let the most advanced believer, who has the fullest assurance of faith, take heed lest he fail.