The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-11-13

y II
element OF life In
Sodom to dwelling In peace and quiet
In the tents with Abraham. lie 10
an Illustration OF the swift descent OF
the soul into the vortex OF sin Tie
got into Sodom. which was not evil
necessarily. but then Sodom got into
him, and that 10 evil always We
know from tn, record that Il was
wicked town. full OF sin and abomi'
nation. 80 wicked that even the plead
ing Of righteous Abraham, the friend
OF God. could not save II: though Lot
was saved. yet 30 rs by hre.
Lots question was asked a. he was
being led out OF the city by the mes
senger from God. Il was crisis day.
The men plead with Lot to bring his
family out with him: to his sons-in-
Law he seemed as one that Knocked.
so useless was his testimony The
angels constrained Lot to fee with
his wife and two daughters. But he
fingered: and the men laid hold upon
his hand. and upon the hand OF his
wife. and upon the hand OF his two
daughters. Jehovah being mercifui
unto him: and they brought him
forth. and set him without the city
Escape to the mountains. lest
thou be consumed" But Lot does not
want to 20 all the wry In obedience.
and as he comes to Zoar he says. Be
hold now, this city 10 near TO fee unto.
Is Il not a little onel Oh let me
escape thither"
How often have we asked Lots
question about our Life. when God
has given some clear command.
Something Is under sentence. we
know II but we think II unimportant.
Is It not a little one' For example:
lack OF love. irritability. worldliness.
a sharp tongue. falsehood. unciean-
ness. grieving the Holy Spirit. lack
OF forgiveness or apology unconcern
about our own souls You excuse
these: you palliate them: you laugh
at them: you have them yourself. and
encourage those who do them. You
say, "Is'it not a little one7" And
many OF your fellow.men are as un-
concerned and Indifferent A. you are.
But Goblet me pause to think OF
him-calls these things sin He says
these things are nt for destruction
and this warning to you has been
timely. ample and urgent You make
light OF sin. but Gods Just judgment
outweigh your selfish opinion prompt
ed by carnai desires. No sin ID small
In his sight. and he knows the full
measure and meaning Of H. This
little one may be the seed OF . vast
and vicious brood. Beware OF any
sin Fear Il. hate IT, nee from II
Say mo" to sin. Burn the witches
which seek your destruction. More
II 10 an awful thing to have any known
sin and be determined to keep Il
You ask about your pet sin. ~ Lo<
did about Zoar. Yes. God did spare
the city. but he does not spare sin.
He knows what II 10 and what II
means. toward God and toward men.
He knows what Il does-robs OF
peace. shuts the soul out from God.
makes towards and makes tools for
Satan. BRING helplessnsss. hopeless
ness and death. He knows what sin
costs-Christ and Calvary. for Chrisk
was manifested to take away sin: 10
he doing II In your Can you face
these facts and then stand up and
say. rs II not little onef" You may
make q mock OF sin now. but what
will you say In that day when the
Judge will be on the thronsf
And we know how little influence.
power and happiness people have who
cling 10 their sins and who refuse
to obey the command OF God to &C.
cape to the mountain. This weakness
OF testimony appears In the homo.
In the church. and In the community.
The world has no use for a sinful
member OF the church. II finds fault,
Il cries shame. and II stays away from
the church. from Christ and from
heaven. Are you responsible for any
suchf Do you meet complaint. crttl
cism or censure with is II not Q
little one'" God pity you'll
These things ought not 90 to be.
They need not be 90. ''Ye know the
grace OF our Lord Jesus" Grace
enough for all. and free. Grace for
salvation. for keeping. for perfection
in the presence Of Jesus At the last.
by grace are 70 saved"
DO you not see how great ssd
grievous . thing sin isf Do you not
want TO come into right relations
with Godf declare emancipation
from that ain. by Jesus Christ. who 10
able to save unto the uttermost. Don't
stay In slavery. but come out into the
large place provided by Jesus Christ.