Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-06-14
uNBEL1Er THE ONLY SIN.

UKBELIEF THE ONLY SIN.
In one sense ii may be SAID tina
unbelief IS the only sin. All otheI
sins are the violation Of the law Goo
as given through Moses, This IS the
violation Of that special law trans
mitted through the Son of God him
self, law requiring us to love ano
trust him. While the heather and
the ancients were undoubtedly guilty
of violating the decplogue, they have
meyer been guilty Of the rejection OF
Christ There is no place an unequl-
vocal statement that eternal punish
ment is promised to them who break
one Of the commandments. This is
animated IN parable and suggested
in prophecy. But it is left for the
distinct and unambiguous declaration
of Christ to declare to us that the
punishment of the hereafter is due to
unbelief, This is the condemnation,
not that men sinned, but that light is
come into the world and men love
darkness rather than light He that
believeth not shall be damned. But
il he that despised Moses law died
without mercy under two or three
witnesses, Of how much sorer punish
ment suppose ye shall he be thought
worthy who hath trampled under foot
the blood of the covenant?
UNDELIEE THE PRELUDE OF SIN.
AS the gathering clouds precede a
storm, SO the gathering doubts pre-
cede the transgression. We have
never slnned until we have first given
our trust and credence to some lie;
laid some hattering junction to our
soul that is contrary to the will of
God. Whenever you see doubts con-
corning Gods love and care for you
coming toward you, rest assured that
not very far behind them are the foot
steps Of their master, the devil,
Doubt is the fog that he wraps around
his breakers. Doubt is the sugar
with which he coats his pills.
UNBELIET THE MOST SUBTITLE OF ALL SINS.
While all manner of sins love to-
cloak themselves under the grab of
righteousness, yet unbellef is the
greatest adapt in the art of disguise.
The very heart and feelings are de-
ceiyed by it, One Of the most dis
lnctive forms he takes is that of
humility. We say that we do not
doubt God, but ourselves, Our hearts
are too hard, we could not remain a
Christian, we are too weak; we have
every trust and confidence in God,
but 1t is ourselves who are feeble. A
little reflection, however, will touch
us that this is in reality impeaching
the words of that God in whom we
profess to believe. For what aVails
an empty general statement that we
believe Him when we doubt His par
ticular statement that our weakness
lie will make strength, and into our
feebleness He will infuse power, that
our wicked heart shall be born again
and our unstable souls anchored with
the fullness of His love. Take heed,
therefore brethern, lest there be in
you any evil heart Of unbelieve in de-
parting from the living God.
UNBELIET THE CoNsoLER OF SIN.
1T is not the least charge against
unbellef that it is always found CIV
ing AID and comfort to the enemy"
There is no form OF sin known but
what it can be palliated by some par
.ticular phase of unbeliet 1t is the
business of this arch fend, unbellef,
to go about whispering peace, when
there lis no peace. So those unre-
pentent sinners he suggests doubts Of
the wrath to come; to those hugging
some darling lust he breaches that
the Gospel cannot all be- true. He
lie deals Literally in false hopes, and
no lie is too thin for his use. Just as
belief In the truth of God brings us
with tears to the cross asking for par
don, the sin of unbelief diligently
keeps us away from the cross, admin
minlstering to us the Intoxicating
wine of self-confdence, anxious that
we should not make our peace with
God.
UNBELIEF CUTS OFF THE REMEDY FOR SIN
Any one who has done wrong has
free access to the Father that he may
obtain forgiveness for the past and
grace for the future. This is the