From the Word of God it is very plain that man is fallen and sinful and lost. While it is true that we have brought ourselves very low by our sin and rebellion against God, yet it is equally true that we cannot deliver ourselves out of that state in which we are held as fallen creatures, apart from the grace of God. It is only saving grace that can deliver us out of a state of sin and misery and bring us into a state of salvation through a Redeemer. Therefore that is the blessing that we are to seek with all our soul and heart — that the Lord would manifest Himself to us in His saving grace and power so that we may be delivered from the wrath to come.
But what of man’s condition so long as he remains in the kingdom of darkness? How clear it is that man left to himself would go on in every form of sin and evil. In the heart of fallen man is the seed of every evil. Yet it is also clear that men do not go to the length in sin which they would go, if left to themselves. This surely proves that there is some restraint on man, other than that put on him by upbringing and example. This can only be the restraining grace of God which He is pleased to put upon men, even fallen men, so that this world does not become a veritable hell on earth. This must flow from the goodness of God, even to rebels who deserve to be cut off in their sin and be cast off for ever. Even Judas Iscariot had this restraining grace upon him, until at last he left the company of the disciples and was so left to himself that he betrayed the innocent blood. What a fearful condition man is in when restraining grace is withdrawn or even withheld in a little degree. It is then that man will discover for himself what depths of evil and wickedness are in the human heart.
When we consider our own lives, where would we be without restraining grace? Into what innumerable evils and calamities we would have brought ourselves were it not for the Lord’s restraint upon us in some measure. Truly then, restraining grace itself is something to be thankful for and something to praise the Lord for. Surely it should fill us with wonder that the God against whom we have rebelled should set bounds for us in wickedness which we cannot pass.
How we ought to remember continually that the goodness of the Lord in this leads us to repentance. Here is a loud call to us to forsake the foolish and live, and walk in the way of uprightness and truth. Restraining grace in its very nature gives no encouragement to men to sin but the very reverse. It is a warning to men that the way of transgressors is hard and that there is a better way — the way of life — into which poor sinners, rebellious and sun-darkened though they be, may be brought in the mercy and kindness of God.
If we are aware then in any degree of the exercise of restraining grace over us, it ought to make us desirous of possessing that grace that is saving. Restraining grace on its own will never save a soul or bring that soul to glory. Saving grace will do both. It will bring a sinner from the depths of sin into the glorious liberty of the children of God. It is through faith in the Redeemer that we can come to know in our experience what it is to be saved from our sins. What a revelation the Word of God presents to us when it says: “The blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin,” and when it says that whosoever believes on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved.
Let us then be earnest day by day seeking to have imparted to us the rich grace of God in Jesus Christ so that we may be made heirs of eternal life. Let us not rest satisfied because a measure of restraining grace is upon us. Let us be thankful for it, yet at the same time let us seek the higher blessing — the good part which Mary sought — and which was never to be taken away from her. Let us seek to have the love of God shed abroad in our hearts through Christ Jesus. Those who are partakers of divine saving grace shall never perish but shall obtain eternal life.