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There is nothing, perhaps, in which God's thoughts and ways are more. seen to be "higher" than man's than in the matter of salvation; and it is in renouncing his own ways, and yielding to God's, that the main difficulty of salvation on man's part lies. Because there is nothing more simple than the plan of salvation — substitution.

I. God's thoughts are not as our thoughts IN THE MATTER OF PARDON. This is proclaimed freely, without any condition on man's part in the way of satisfaction to God's holy and broken law. Salvation is represented in Scripture as something which God Himself has achieved. God has "delivered man from going down into the pit; He has found a ransom;" and therefore, in every point of view, this salvation is perfect and complete. It is, further, proclaimed to sinners as a gift which they cannot earn or deserve, but which they are entreated to accent as a gift on account of what Christ has done (Romans 15:23). Men are called on to believe it instantly, to receive it and enjoy it at once, as the gift of God's love in Christ Jesus. Now, to this the world objects, because such a plan of salvation knocks down man's pride, and leaves him in the position of a rebellious sinner dependent wholly on God's grace and mercy. To escape, therefore, from such an ignominious admission, some go on to argue that by this view God's law is dishonoured, sin is treated as if of no consequence, and the pardoned sinner is left without any obligation to obey God. But is this true?

II. Gods "thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways His ways," IN. THE. WAY IN WHICH PEACE AND JOY FOLLOW ON BELIEVING THE GOSPEL. This is proclaimed in Scripture as instant (Romans 5:1). But the world objects to this, and calls it presumption; and if they hear of a notorious sinner being converted, and entering into peace, they immediately set him down as a hypocrite. The question is not whether they are hypocrites, but whether a man who believes the Gospel, and is full of joy and peace in consequence, is a hypocrite. Whatever the world says on the subject, Scripture does not so represent him. We must take care and not conclude that where there is no peace there is no faith. This would be as wrong as to conclude that where there is not perfect health there is no life.

III. There is still another point in which "God's thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways His ways," namely, HIS LONGSUFFERING. In preaching, I have no limit to make in the Gospel. If you say, "This surely is abusing the goodness of God," I reply, "God's thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways His ways."

(J. W. Reeve, M. A.)

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KJV: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

WEB: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," says Yahweh.