The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-04-15

IN tion CONCERNING
Gods first and
great commandment for man, and the
Masters answer places him at once
in his true position before the Lord.
What Jesus told this young man OF
long ago can still be said OF many
today: Thou are not far from the
kingdom of God"
/. He was in very promising posi-
tion. mot far from the kingdom"
He was acquainted with the truth to
a certain extent, being in the position
OF many today who are able to tell
much about the truth OF the Bible;
but they themselves are still with
out"
lie also assented TO the truth.
This. too, describes many OF to-
day who make no profession OF Chris
tianlty: they not only know much oil
the truth. but they are quite ready to
agree that It is truth.
He also admired the One who told
him the truth; he came to Jesus.
And It may safely be presumed that
ne attempted to live his creed. He
was a sincere man who caught the at.
tention OF Jesus and drew from him
this word, "Thou are not far from the
kingdom OF God" A great truth is
here. viz, that one can be at the very
door Of the kingdom and yet be finally
lost. Some who read these words
may be in the same position, at the
threshold-but yet not in.
Q. He was in a very painful posi-
tion; just at the door. but not inside.
He would be condemned by his con-
science because of his acquaintance
with the truth. It would ever be tell
ing him that he ought to step inside
and delay no longer. An unheeded
conscience is not pleasant to live
with. and this young mans position
would be painful in spite OF its prom
Use.
He would also be condemned by his
reason because of his assent to the
|
is wise and yet not do II, is to dis
honor ones reason. Yet many there
are today who have been brought tC
the gates OF salvation but who have
stihed the voices of conscience and
reason and found themselves in the
distressing position of this young man
He would be condemned by the
words which Jesus addressed to hin
when he said, "Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart.
8. He was In very perilous posi-
tion; he might never get into tha
kingdom from which he was then mo
far"
There was the danger that he res
content with mere assent to the truth
He would be like a traveller who nigh
go many days and stop just one day
march from his goal; all his wear,
Journey would be useless without tn
final days work To be within stel
of the kingdom of God and neglect 4
take that last step which would pu
one over the threshold is to take one
place with all the unsaved.
There was the danger, too. that h
should put off the final step too lon
and his conscience become hardene
and leave him without its warnin
tones.
Almost" cannot avail, almost is bu
to fail;
Sad. sad. the bitter wall almost bu
lost"
A distinguished preacher tells OF
gentleman who heard someone preac
from this text, and as the danger O
neglect was presented he felt he wa
but a step from salvation Instead
however, of taking that last ste
which separated between his soul an
life, he put it off and returned to hi
home. Retiring, he fell into restles
sleep and began to dream. H
thought he saw himself die and behel
his soul leaving his body. But he wa
dismayed to see host of sins, whic
he recognized as his own, pursue nj
soul. and it became so terrible h
could bear 1t no longer, but awok'
Springing from his bed he called hi
wife and telling her the dream declare
that on the next Sunday he would 6
to the church and take the last ste
toward salvation. But as he spoke h
gasped and fell at his wife's feet, deaf
My dear reader. IL you find yourse
In the promising but painful positio
Of this young man, will you not jus
now exchange that perilous place fo
the safe place by accepting the gr'
cious invitation Of Jesus, "Come unit
me and will give you rest?"