As long as we live we can never be certain of retaining God's grace and persevering to the end. We always remain in a state of half light in this world, not only as to God and divine truths, which we do not fully comprehend, but also as to ourselves and our justice. "There are just men and wise men, and their works are in the hand of God; and yet no man knoweth whether he be worthy of love or hatred; but all things are kept uncertain for the time to come" (Eccle. ix. 1, 2). If we are in obscurity as to our present state, still less can we have any certainty as to what the future will bring forth, except by special revelation such as was vouchsafed to the thief on the cross. No one dare say: "My heart is clean, I am pure from sin" (Prov. xx. 9). David recognized that a man may be in grievous sin without knowing it: "Who can understand sins ? From my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord, and from those of others spare Thy servant" (Ps. xviii. 13, 14). The Holy Ghost goes so far as to say: "Be not without fear about sin forgiven (Eccli. v. 5). Our own assurance is worth nothing, for the Apostle says "I am not conscious to myself of anything, yet I am not hereby justified. . . . Therefore judge not before the time, until the Lord come who will both bring to light the things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts" (1 Cor. iv. 4, 5). You can never venture to presume on your safety. Serve God in confidence and hope, but also with fear and trembling.
