The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-02-19
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
TIE RETURNING SINNER.


TIE RETURNING SINNER.
~ will arise and go to my Father, and will sa
unto him, Father. have sipned. -. And b
arose aud came to his Father
This is just what every sinner must do auC
say, in order to be saved; and this is all
This quotation from the Parable of the Prod
igal Son, related by Luke, stands parable
with Choose ye this day whom ye vii
serve" Joshua xiv: Is We must deter
mine to come and confess our sins, then act
for if we resolve only, that can never avail
us anything. But if We act upon the deter
minstion, and come to God confessing ou
sins, not only saying, " Forgive my sins,
but also, Z" have sinued, and am sorry,
the result is sure; for thus saith the Lord
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my
Word shall not pass away" Again, eff We
confess our sins, He is faithful and just tc
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse as from
all uurighteousness. 1 Johni: 8.
"He arose and came" How significant
How natural to say, she arose and went tc
his father Indeed l have heard it thus
quoted) No; ne went from his father wher
he left his home; now be turns around and
comes back. This is conversion. The faith.
er had never turned away from the SOD, but
was longing, waiting, watching for his re,
turn. Yes; "Wheu be was yet great way
of" he saw him. 70 how many parents
can fully appreciate the yearnings of that
fathers heart. We can believe he was call
ing, "My son, come back to your father,
who loves you still, though you have SO long
sighted him.
How true it is that all have gone away
from God Gail we, like sheep, have gone
astray; we have turned every one to his own
way" Isaiah lii g. But our loving
heavenly Father, "Wish whom is no Varia-
bleneas, neither shadow of turning" is ever
yesrning over sinners, longing for their re-
turn. "Ssy unto them, Aa l live, saith the
Lord God, l have no pleasure in the death Of
the wicked; but that the wicked turn from
his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from
your evil ways; for why will ye die?" Eze-
kiel xxxiii: II. "I drew them with bands
of love-" Hosea xi 4. 81 have loved thee
with an everlasting love, therefore with loS.
ing kindness have l drawn thee" Jeremiah
xxi: 8. "God SO loved the world that He
gave His only begOtten Son, that whOsoeVer
believed in Him might not perish, but have
everlasting life. John iii: 16. In al the
departures of the Israelites from Hin, the
moment they came back, He met them with
forgiveness, as He had promised. "For all
the promises of God in Him Jesus Christ,
are yea and in Him Amen"
Yes; and is He not always calling sim
ners ? If they will but listen, they may hear
Him saying: "COme now and let US reason
together, saith the Lord: though your sin:
be as scarlet they shall be white as snow
though they be red like crimson, they shall
be as wool" 0 how many persons there
are who have beard that sweet call, "Come,
80 often reiterated in Gods Book, and have
said mentally, or may be verbally, 81 viii
arise aud go;" but, how sad to ssy-tha
was all for they never "arose aud came,
aud so lost the blessedness of meeting the
Father, and having His embrace of love-
But oh, thank God others like the PrOdi
gal, have come, and in coming found til
half was never told. Let ua who are
among that blessed number, who have beer
redeemed" who have realized His good
ness, whose hearts are full Of thanks il
remembrance of His meroy-let as "sa.
so;' our King bids US say SO. Yes; lie
as tell others the story Of Gods love fo
sinners. Let US re.eobo the call to thos
who are feeding on husks Ho, every on
that thirsteth, come ye to the watet:; an
he that hath no money; come ye, buy, an
eat; yea, come buy wine and milk withOu
money and wtbtu; price. Wherefore do y
spend money for that which is not bread
Incline your ear and come unit
me-" Isaiah ": 1-3. Let US tell them 0
the unlimited call; off any man thirst le
him cCme unto me and drink" "WhOsc
ever will, let him take the water of life free
w." "Come, for all things are now ready;
the robe, the ring, Isaiah Xxi: 1O) and tn
feast; yes, aud the rejoicing; for Their
is Joy in the presence of the angels of Goo
over one sinner that repeuteth." Oh let u
assure them that if they heed the call an
come to Jesus now, there will be time whe
they shall again hear Him say, :" Come y
blessed of my Father, inherit the kingd6i
prepared for you from the foundation of th
} world
+" From the cross uplihed high,
Where the Saviour deigns to die
What melodious sounds we hear
Bursting on the ravished ear
Loves redeeming work is done;
Come and welcome, sinner come
ONE OF THE REDEEMED.
It would be of great use for the discover