The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-09-17

n the drunkards, the
lots, the
thieves, the murderers. but all are
lost. God, through the Apostle Paul.
says, "All have sinned and come short
OF the glory OF God" (Rom. g.: 23). And
the Apostle John adds, IF we say that
we have no sin we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not In us. IL we say
that we have not sinned we make him
(God) liar" II John 1:S-10) That
is. by so saying we really say to God.
you lie when you say we have
sinned." My friend. let US not make
God out liar, and let us not deceive
ourselves. nor be deceived by man
about sin. Yea, rather "let God be
true but every man liar" Surely tho
testimony OF his word is unmistakably
clear that all men, because of sin, are
radically wrong. What David says OF
himself is true OF every one OF us.
Behold was brought forth in In.
iquity and In sin did my mother con.
ceive me" PSALMS 51:5. II. W. No
matter, then. how well born we may
have been. the truth is we must DO
born again.
This means that because we are rad
ically wrong we must be radically
changed. How then shall this change
be wrought? To reform oneself does
not effect the change. for reformation
is simply an outward process and does
not alter mans essential nature, any
more than to whitewash the pump
changes sthe water in the well. To
more into better neighborhood and
into a better dwelling does not effect
the change. for that is simply leaving
a less desirable environment for a
better one. No one would try to
change the character Of balky. kick
ing horse by removing IL from dilapi-
dated shed to a palace stable. The
propensity TO kick and balk would re-
main just the same. To cultivate ones
intellect does not alter ones heart, out
OF which. says Jesus, are the issues
OF life. II may refine the sinner, but
IL will not save him. The truth Is.
man does not have the power resident
within himself TO work the change.
Notwithstanding the boasting of his
natural heart, he is absolutely help
less and undone when It comes TO
making the change that is necessary
If he is to see or enter into the king
dom OF God.
But what man cannot do for himself,
God. I'm infinite mercy, is ready and
willing TO do for him. Ample provi-
sion has been made by which man
radically wrong may be radically
changed. First, God sent Jesus Christ,
the Good Shepherd. TO seek and save
the lost. Secondly, the Good Shepherd
laid down his life for the sheep. That
is, on the cross he died for our sins.
the just for the unjust. Thirdly. he
not only laid down his life for the
lost sheep, but he took II again. lie
rose from the dead and today, as the
Living One, who was dead and is alive
for evermore, he gives life.
And TO whom, we may well ask,
does he will TO give life? To those
and only TO those who come to him
for life. Among the saddest words
that Jesus ever uttered are these, "Ye
would not come unto me that ye might
have life" John 5:40). That which
was true then, Is sadly true now, for
only one thing keeps a man who is
radically wrong from being radically
changed, and that is his own will.
"But how" you say, shall ! conner"
Come, my friend, just as you are, with
all your sin God knows, II you do
not. how much you need TO be changed.
and God knows, IL you do not, that
unless you do come and are born from
above you cannot enter into the king
dom OF heaven.
Perhaps you do not understand Just
what IL is TO come TO Christ. II is just
this and nothing more: TO come TO
Christ Is 10 receive him by faith as
your own personal Savior; II Is TO
trust him TO do in your life just what
he says he will do, save you from sin,
it's guilt and power. Will you DO that7
Will you believe him? VIII you re-
ceiye hin now? II go, Just lift your
heart in prayer 10 Cod and say; "Oh.
God. ] now take Jesus Christ az the
Savior and Lord OF my life. and ask
thee 10 make the radical change in
my life that 7 80 much need. for de-
sire 70 see and 10 enter into the king
dom of heaven. Do this, OH, God, for
Chrlst's sake" Then. having done.
this ia your heart. read these Scrip
lures very carefully over again, pray
ing God 10 open the eyes Of your un-
derstandlng that you may see the truth
Of his Word.