Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-10-04

x variety and eX-
element of life in
Sodom to dwelling in peace and quiet
in the tents with Abraham. He is
an illustration of the swift descent OF
the soul into the vortex Of sin. He
got into Sodom, which was not evil
necessarily. but then SOdom got into
him. and that is evil always. We
know from the record that II was
wicked town, full Of sin and abomi'
nation, so wicked that even the plead
ing of righteous Abraham, the friend
OF God could not save it; though Lot
was saved. yet so as by fire.
Lots question was asked as he was
being led out of the city by the mes
senger from God. 1t was q 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 flee 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 merciful
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 go all the way in obedience,
and as he comes TO Zoar he says, Be
hold now, this city is near to flee unto.
Is it not a little one? 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 it. but we think 1t unimportant.
Is it not a little one? For example:
lack of love, irritability, worldliness,
a sharp tongue, falsehood. unclean-
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 one?" And
many Of your fellowmen are as I'M
concerned and Indifferent as you are.
But Goblet me pause to think OF
him-calls these things sin. He says
these things are fit for destruction
and this warning to you has been
timely, ample and urgent. You make
light of sin, but Gods just Judgment
outweighs your selfish opinion prompt
ed by carnal desires. No sin Is small
in his sight, and he knows the full
measure and meaning Of 1t. This
little one may be the seed Of vast
and vicious brood Beware OF any
sin. Fear 1t, hate 1t, fee from It.
Say mo" to sin. Burn the witches
which seek your destruction. More
1t Is an awful thing to have any known
sin and be determined to keep It
You ask about your pet sin, as Lot
did about Zoar. Yes. God did spare
the city. but he does not spare sin
He knows what 1t is and what II
means, toward God and toward men
He knows what it does-robs OF
peace. shuts the soul out from God
makes towards and makes tools for
Satan, brings helplessness, hopeless
ness and death. He knows what sin
costs-Christ and Calvary. for Christ
was manifested to take away sin; is
he doing 1t in you? Can you face
these facts and then stand up and
say, "Is it not a little one?" You may
make a mock Of sin now, but what
will you say in that day when the
Judge will be on the throne?
And we know how little influence
power and happiness people have who
cling to their sins and who refuse
to obey the command Of God to es
cape to the mountain. This weakness
of testimony appears in the home
In the church, and in the community
The world has no use for a sinful
member Of the church. 1t finds fault
It cries shame, and 1t stays away from
the church. from Christ and from
heaven Are you responsible for any
such? Do you meet complaint, crit
cism or censure with rs 1t not q
little one?" God pity you!
These things ought not so to be
They need not be so. "Ye know the
grace of our Lord Jesus" Grace
enough for all, and free. Grace fol
salvation, for keeping. for perfection
in the presence of Jesus at the last
by grace are we saved"
Do you not see how great and
grievous a thing sin is? Do you not
want to come into right relations
with God? / declare emancipation
from that sin. by Jesus Christ, who is
able to save unto the uttermost Don't
stay in slavery, but come out into the
large place provided by Jesus Christ
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