Thus he may impose a limitation on himself. In one sense this
may be considered a great misfortune. But how else could a moral being
be created? We cannot conceive of any other way. If we had not been
created moral beings, we could never rise to anything worth while. God
wanted to make the most and the best of us. But with that possibility of
rising there was also the possibility of falling. Therefore, so far as
that consideration is concerned, our creation, on this human status,
was an expression of infinite love.
But then, the present is a state of discipline. Since sin has come in,
and so marred our perfection and happiness, it has been ordained that
the present life will be a preparation for a better future life.
Therefore our present sinful limitations are not finally disastrous.
They may be even turned to benedictions. Instances are not wanting where
untold suffering has issued in great moral perfection, with a
corresponding high place in the world beyond. Such considerations as
these show clearly that our creation, even though we are fallen, was an
act of infinite love.
Yes, but what about the untold millions who do not turn their present
suffering to good account? Especially what about the uncounted millions
of heathen? Many of them were born into conditions of utter
hopelessness; their surroundings were of the worst; it would be utterly
futile to expect that their present life could be a preparation for
final blessedness.
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