The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-09-12

l1llsAs w = make himself a
Christian in a
short time. This is mistake. The
Christian life is not simply an inn
provement OF the old life, but diff
ferent kind OF life altogether. name
ly. life of obedience TO Christ. Sup
pose you had sour apple tree which
you wished 10 convert into sweet
apple tree. What would you do?
Would you dig about il and prune IL
and scrape the bark? No, indeed. A
hundred years Of such improvement
would not make the tree bear sweet
apples. but the introduction of a graft
from a sweet apple tree would do II
very quickly. Even so lifetime
spent in improving ones habits does
not make one a Christian. but the en-.
trance Of Jesus Christ into the heart
by the surrender OF the will. will do IL
In a moment People do not become
Christians by improving their life.
but by accepting Jesus Christ. lie
that hath the Son hath life; and he
that hath not the Son OF God hath not
life" q John 5:12D
What is Conversion2
The word convert means TO turn
about AS applied 10 spiritual things,
II means a turning of the soul unto
God "All we like sheep have gone
astray: we have turned every one 20
his own way" The real essence of
sin is this, that the sinner is de-
termincd 10 have his own way. II may
not be the worst way in the world It
may not be an immoral way, or vi.
cious way, but 1t is his way and not
Gods way which he ought to follow
The only course for the sinner to
pursue rs 10 turn about, TO abandon
his way, and 10 accept Gods way.
Let the wicked forsake his way. and
the unrghteous man his thoughts. and
let him return unto the Lord, and he
will have mercy upon him" Conver-
sion. then. is turning OF the soul
unto God. "A surrender OF the will to
the divine will, an acceptance OF
Jesus Christ as our Lord and Master.
When the sinner. realizing the folly
OF further resistance, finally surren-
ders his will 10 the Lord Jesus, then
occurs great change. God forgives
his sins. and so changes his heart that
henceforth he loves Gods way better
than his own way. N new heart will
give you, and "A new spirit will put
within you-And | will put my spirit
within you, and cause you to walk in
my statutes" (Ezek. 1926, 27). The
sinner no longer has "A controversy
with God The great question OF life
is settled. and henceforth his aim is
TO know and do the will OF God.
influences Leading to Conversion.
The Word OF God is very effective
agency II is like "A mirror in which
the sinner sees himself as he really is
That is why Christ bids us preach
the gospel to every creature because
there is life in IT, The Word OF God
Is alive, and powerful and sharper
than any two-edged sword" One can
hardly read the Bible continuously
and not be made to realize that he is
a sinner and need a Savior.
On one occasion a man said to
me: From the preaching which
heard in my boyhood was led to sup
pose that when one became a Chris
tion, IL was necessary for him 10 go
some extraordinary process
called change Of heart, or regenera-
ton This book which you have loan
ed me, teaches that what Is required
is simply a change Of purpose. Now
will you please tell me which is right
and which is wrong?" replied:
They are both right. you could not
change your heart v you should try;
you could not make II love what II
naturally hated. could you?" NO.
suppose not he said But you could
your purpose, could you not?
You could decide henceforth 10 obey
he Lord Jesus" Certainly" he re-
piled. Well" said !. III you will
change your purpose and accept Christ !
ss your Savior. God will change your
1eart and cause you 10 love what once |
YOU hated. and 10 hate what once you
owed rs that all there is TO it, |
said he. Certainly" replied lie /
ost no time in accepting Christ and /
iod gave him new heart
Now is the accepted time; now is /
he day of salvation n you say. Il |
want more time 20 think about IT," |
answer. What will you gain by wait
ng? What have you gained by wait.
ng already? 40, friend. what you
,eed is not time but decision. You
,now that you are sinner. and that
Jhrist is the only one who can sare
-ou. The simple question Is. ""ill
,ou accept him as your SAVIOR" God
,1pects you 10 DO II. commands you 10
10 II, and II IL is ever done, you are
he cne Who must DO IL