ARE WE WALKING WITH GOD?
By S. M. Spicer
“WHEN a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” We inquire what means God uses to accomplish this. Certainly he does not directly act upon the heart of an enemy to remove malice, without converting the will. Is it not rather by simply actuating the the person who pleases him to manifest outwardly what dwells within,—that kind disposition of heart, that pure charity and forbearance which disarms his adversary of every evil feeling, so that he is compelled to respect and even love him instead of trying to do him injury? It is thus he is made at peace. “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” Or, should the ill-disposed resist the melting power of kindness, still that person who has the sweet peace of God within cannot outwardly manifest any appearance of ill-nature, unkindness, or impatience; hence he will never give occasion for an enemy to take offense, never do anything to feed envy or malice. On the contrary, the man whose ways are unrighteous, hence displeasing to God, will ever show a want of harmony with the good, and ever find opposition and discord when in contact with the bad. There is this seeming paradox in the kingdom of Satan, that his true subjects may be all divided one against another, and his kingdom stand all the firmer and more prosperously for it: yea, he glories in ill-humor and contention, and feels sure of his victims so long as he can maintain this state of heart; for the naturally irritating, constantly reacting power of wrong-doing, has a fearful power to multiply the evils and sorrows of the world. Thus hastens the human family down the broad road to everlasting ruin. Not long ago when reading of the troublous times of the last days, so vividly pictured by our Saviour, we thought it would require a long time for existing causes to bring on such a state of things as portrayed; but now, even a casual glance at the present ominous condition of society is enough to awaken a thrill of terror which may soon be intensified with the thundering shock of earth’s final doom. The prince of the powers of darkness, seeing the hosts gather around his rebellious standard, seems exultant in the prospect of soon enjoying absolute sway. Satan finds greatly increasing advantage in the naturally irritating ailments of body so rapidly increasing in the human family. He would ever lead the sufferer to justify his own impatience and ill-humor, pleading that they are unavoidable, keeping him blind to the truth that here is the real besetting sin he is required to overcome, if he would gain the reward. Should impatience become the prevailing sin of the last days, how striking the text pointing out the saving virtue of the overcomer,— “Here is the patience of the saints.” Does it not especially become the professed Christian under all circumstances to suppress impatience, and cultivate a forbearing, gentle disposition? Should he not ever strive for that loving spirit of the Saviour, which beams out upon the world continually in loving words and deeds? Thus his ways, pleasing the Lord, will breathe peace to all around. This spirit must belong to all God’s accepted children; this spirit will make the sweet, holy atmosphere of Heaven.