Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-21


Of the Son of God; that we may know
that We have eternal life, and that We
may believe on the name of the Son
of God."-I John Wis.
When a young Christian, the great
Bible doctrine Of assurance troubled
me no little. After entering the min
istry it continued for ashort while to
puzzle me, until finally became will
ing to let the Bible speak out clearly
on the matter and abide by its teach
ing Since that time it has given me
no trouble. / know that l am mar
ried. l know that l am a citizen Of
the State of Georgia. You ask me
why, and l give you a satisfactory
reason for the facts in the case. Go
to the records of Garrett County,
Maryland, and the official In charge
will show you the credentials in the
case. Go to the records of Oglethorpe
County, Georgia, and ask the Tax
Collector If my name is not regis
tered and see how quickly he will
witness to the truth and facts stated.
Now, some such evidence is just what
we need regarding the salvation that
we claim to have. And God has Civ
Read them for yourself q John) and
underscore the word know in it's re-
spective forms, and you find 81 times
John rings the changes on what is
known. Paul said, Il know in Whom
l have believed, and am persuaded
that He is able to keep that which !
have committed unto Him against
that day." Assurance never troubled
the disciples. 1t should be a real
and vital truth to us.
We know ourselves If we have met
Gods conditions. These conditions
are five, and every sane minded man
them or not.
1. FAITH-Without faith 1t is i'm
possible to please God (John iii: 16,
THAT whosoever believeth on Him
should not perish, but have everlast-
ing life") Gods love to US prompt
ed Him to give His Son to die that
we might be saved, and our love to
God prompts us to accept Christ and
appropriate Him by faith. Read the
second chapter of Hebrews and see
what great things were accomplished
through faith-dead raised, fire es-
capped, God walked with, lions mouths
closed, sick healed, paralytic raised.
lame walking, and hosts Of other
Faith in Christ will remove noun
tains, and overcome difficulties, and
save souls, and give assurance OF
eternal life.
2. RECEPTION.-But we must go
a step further and receive Christ
John i:12, But as many as received
Him to them He gave the power to
become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on His nameO. One day
you are sitting in your parlor en-
joying a quiet evening with your
family. Someone comes to the front
door and rings. the door bell. You get
up and answer and find an old schooi-
mate and companion of your boyhood
DAYS A cordial welcome is extended;
he is invited in and pleasant even
ing is passed. He leaves; you know
whether or not you received him. or
course, you know, too, II you have re-
ceived Christ.
3. CONFESSION believe and
receive includes Observation-Disclosures
x:32, whatsoever therefore shall
confess Me before men him Will |
confess also before My Father which
is in heaven, but whatsoever shall de-
nv Me before men him will I also
deny before My Father which is in
heaven" 1t is putting the matter
very strongly, / know, but this ques-
ton should be answered: Can man
be saved without publicly confessing
Christ? Read the New Testament,
then, and see how you must answer.
The diving thief on the cross was
saved by the skin of his teeth; barely
redeemed; only a few moments in
which he could make sure Of his sal
walton, and before all the mob of
onlookers- he called upon Christ and
Jesus said, This day shalt thou be
with Me in Paradise" One had best
risk no weak points, and anyway 1t
is the wise thing to confess Jesus
publicly before man in order that He
may confess you before the Father
and the angels in heaven.
4. FOLLOWING.-Jes said, IL
any man will come after Me, let him
deny himself take up his cross and
follow Me-" And to follow Christ is
not simply TO go a part of the way
with Him; it is to go all the way |
Turn over to that wonderful passage
of Scripture, Acts ii:41, and read the |
signboards along the way which |
Christ walks:
1st-Receiving the word gladly.
2d-Baptized.
3d-Added to the church. Ii you
follow Jesus you can't live as well
out of the church as you can in it..
4-Continue in doctrine and fell
lowship.
5-Breaking Of bread, a celebration
the Lords Supper.
6th-Praying.
7th-And here is where so many
turn aside. Had all things in COM
mon and sold ALL their possessions
and parted them to all men as they
had need"