The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-11-10
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WHAT THE REAL CHRISTIAN MUST DO.
Let lis see. To be a Christian is to strive
against sin. To this ihc name obliges, and
without this To assume the name Is Il fraud.
"Let every one that nameth the name of
Christ. depart from intquity." /. e. let him de-
part from sin, or not assume the name of hlm
who knew no sin. We must strive for the
mastery over sin, and labor 10 be like ChriSt
himself, holy, harmless, undefllcd and sepa-
rate from sinners. Again. to be Il Christian is
follow Christ These terms OF discipIeship are
fixed 10y our LnrI himself. He said TO them
all, II any man will come after me, let him
deny himself and take up his cross daily and
follow me.
CHRIST OUR EXAMPLE, AND MODEL.
In short, the rules by which the Christian
walks, are the words OF Christ. His example
is the model afher which he copies. and the
happiness for which he aims Is that of being
forever with the Lord. This, brethren, Is IL brief
aud imperfect sketch Of what Is meant by be-
ing a Christian. For It's truth we refer you to
the Bible. But IL this is the character OF those
spoken Of In the text. IT. IL plain that many
bear the name to whom 1t does not strictly be-
long. Must Christian depart from Sin !?
What then shall we think OF the intemp peratc,
prOiigatc. profane Christians we meet every
day? There can not be greater contradie-
llon. An ignorant scholar q sober drunkard,
Il charitable miscr, m honest thief. is not q
greater ubsurdity. Must a Christian deny
ntmSeIt ana De Wiling LO SuUtr LOT CnrlSl!
What then shall we think of the many who
indulge in every sensual pleasure. who SO far
from denying themselves in time and money
for Christ and His canse. will not give even of
their abundance of time and money To sup
port the religion of Christ and extend lis infiu-
ence? What shall we think Of those who so
far from being willing to die Tor Christ, can
not stand the force OF a laugh, or snecr, in
lhc cause of religion. WHO are so afraid OF be.
ing singular that they are ashamed to confess
Christ and His words? What OF those who
are satisfied to simply acqnieSce In the truth
of Chri-tinnty without inquiry, or perhaps
in their selfconceit never think 1t OF sufi-
cicnt Importance 10 inquire il 1t Is true or
false. who remain contented strangers to
whatever distinguishes the real Christian IN
his faith, his hope and his life, who know and
care nothing for the glorious work Of the Son
of God, and die without n hDpe Of the blessed
hereafter He has secured for them by His
blood.
THOSE WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS.
Are they Christians? No more than
the heather who have never heard Of Christ.
No more Than the most bitter and avowcd en-.
cmirs of religlon-nay, through their con.
teInptuous neglect Of Christ and the duties of
religio they have pronounced themselves as
opposed to Christ, for they who are not with
nc. arc against me, says our Lord himself:
But the day is at hand. when the Lord Je-
sus will vndicatc the honor of His holy name
which so many now either disgrace or despiSe:
The trial and scrutiny of that day none could
this same Jesus, our Saviour and our Judge.
For lie has already told us, that He Will then
own none, but those who believed and follow
ell Him here. TO the pleas or others, He will
say: II know you not )" II never knew you
depart from me-" 1t will avail nothing to
plead our privileges-our Christian name re-
ccivcd at baptsm-whcn. II this he all, 1t will
only aegravate our doom. II this be all, an
unbaptiZed heather In the day OF account will
not change estate with many baptized Chris
tlans.
FINALLY, LET US ENQUIRE INTO OUR own
RIGHT TO DE CALLED CHRISTIANS.
Let MS then. brethren, inquire and ex-
amiuci VIC have any just title. to the name
and the inheritance Of the members nf Christ.
for to have the name, without the reality. can
serve no good purpose. a lost Christian VIII
be the most Il, chdiul character in eternity.
Let us labor that it may not hc our character.
BY Gods gra.'c let US be true followers Oi
Christ, drink of His spirit, live by His pre-
cents, and so seek through tho incarnatc Saw
ionr Il portion in His Kingdom. While the
bare profession of Christianity can give nci'
thcr profit nor pracc, the possession OF 1t I'm
reality will he filled with both. II will giro the
'sprolnise nf The life that now is. and of that
which IL to come" 1t will deliver us from Il
thousand Sn9rcS against which there Is no
OF her relief. II will free us from the bondage
Of Il multitude nf degrading passions. nnd III.
vesl us with the GLORIOUS liberty Ct the sons
of ti0l." The time is near when TO belong to
Christ. to he In sing union with Him. aAd
ca heirs with Him Of the Fathers kingdom
will hc felt To he q greater happiness than To
be na.tnr Of the world. Every Other honor
Will aic every other distinction Will lass
away. every other enjoyment Will be EXHAUST
ed, while the crown of righteousness which
Christ will give his true followers. will shine
with undlmmed brightness through the ages
Of eternity. Amen,