The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-13
TO BELLEVE


No principle has been more abused
than that which has been Correctly de-
clared to the embodying principle of the
Christian Religion-namely, that all that
is necessary for mans salvation, is for
him to belieye This is most Individually
the whole of the matter, but most Chris
tians fail sadly to comprehend the wide
range of Specification that is covered by
this simple conception. What must we
believe? What is meant by FAITH in
Jesus Christ? We are told that we have
nothing more to do than to believe on
Him, and many have the opinion that it
is very summary and rapidly disposed
of matter. But what are we to believe?
To go to Christ for salvation means that
we so to him for salvation from the pun
ishment for our sins. Therefore, the first
thing implied is that we are SINNERS.
We have got to believe that. But how
imperfect is the realization by most per-
sons of their sinfulness, and of what their
slnfulness deserves The Bible teaches
US that we deserve the bitter pains of
eternal DEATH How many really feel
this to be true? hoaO many? Very few
have such a conviction of the enormity of
their guilt. Many think very little
about it, merely asserting to the propo-
sition in general way. To form Just
conception of our guilt implies just con-
ception of the holiness of God, and of the
very great importance in His universe
attached to the slightest violence done to
His laws-an Importance to be estimated
by the fact that when Adam sinned, it
let loose upon the earth all the suffering
and all the Indebtedness that attach to
neutrality-suspicious. here, and eter-
nal punishment hereatter-death physi-
cal and spiritual
The individual who says he believes"
on Christ must therefore strive to realize
this.
2. He must believe Jesus Christ to be
God manifest in the flesh, and that he has
suffered for his sins after having in the
human form rendered through his earthly
life perfect obedience to the law which
was broken by the first Adam.
3. His belief in Christ as the Son. of
God, implies his belief in God, the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the HOLY
Spirit as the efficient agent in the work
of Regeneration.
4. He also undertakes, therefore, to
believe" in the New Birth-that he is
a new creature in Christ Jesus"
5. But shall he now stop? Is the
work Of faith" fnished2 No: "believ-
ing in Jesus-taking Him for his Sa-
viour-means 81 am lost sinner I
come to THee;' and then the question
must follow, Lord, what wilt thou have
me to do?" The penitent believer has
just commenced his work if he stops. he
fails to understand the matter entirely.
lie must tollo10 Jesus. His Faith must
now 60 to work in Love. His faith in
Jesus means that he seeks union with
Him as the refuge from his sins, and is
willing to be conformed to his image in
the work Of salvation.
Christ saves us from our sins. but he
does not save us if we 90 to him and put
our hands in our pockets with the pur-
pose Of doing no work.
8. We need to be SANcrrF1ED. We
have got to move on in the new life. We
have an JUNCTION from the Holy One; His
seed has been planted in us; now it must
gro9o. We must strive after all holy af-