Sharp County record., 1916-12-01

he will not only
deliver them from guilt, but endue
them with the power to overcome sin
and lead a godly life. And yet for
all this they are halting, and trying to
decide whether to put their trust in
him and openly confess him or not.
What are some Of the reasons given
for this indecision? Or, to put 1t in
another way, what are some Of the
obstacles which the evil one is setting
before them to hinder them in their
progress towards salvation through
Christi
Not long ago we were speaking Of
this subject from another point Of
view, and dwelt on two or,three very
common objections such as'that there
are hypocrites in the church, or the
profit and pleasure that must be given
up If one becomes Ch hristian, or the
fear Of not being abk to hold out in
Christian life, etc.
But there are other objections than
these. One Is the remark, II am not
good enough to become a Christian"
This sounds like humility, but in real
ity Is spiritual pride, for 1t is based
on the supposition that one can make
himself good enough without Christ.
But II 80 why need Savior, and why
should the Son Of God have suffered
and died7 II We can make ourselves
partially holy, We can make ourselves
absolutely holy, and therefore the
work Of atonement was unnecessary
and crime. A convincing answer to
this is the testimony Of our Lord him
self that he came not to call the right
eous but sinners to repentance.
The great Augustine prayed, 20
Lord, I am so great a sinner, I must
fee into thine arms!" That is the
place for the sinner TO fee Just be-
cause he is a sinner.
(2) II do not know how to believe"
is sometimes put forth as a reason.
And yet believe" means simply "to
trust" ito commit ones SELF to the
Saviour in order to be saved. Indeed,
the dificulty is not so much In the
meaning of the word, "believe,' MS In
waiting for feeling to accompany the
belief.
A woman once gave this excuse TO n
pastor who was urging her to accept
Christ. And he said to her, "Do you
own the house you live in1' To which
she answered, "Yes." And then he add.
cd, How do you know you do3" After
reflection she said, Because my title
deed Is recorded In the office Of the
county clerk"
She was not waiting for feeling to
know that she owned her house. and
no more should we wnit for feeling to
know that we are saved, II Is record.
cd In the word Of God, that God hath
given to us eternal life and this life
Is In his Son. He that hath the Son
hath life and he that hath not the
Son Of God hath not life" And Il IL
written ognln, "He that belleveth not
God hath made him liar, because he
believeth not the record that God
gave his Son."
The sinner who Ia waiting for feel
Ing before he believes that filth saves
him IL not only doing himself tho
greatest Injury, but Is dlshonorlng
God.
Q. Another common reason for halt
Ing n no reason 1t all, Viz, that
the time has not yet come to take
the step. II Is the excuse VI Felix,
who trembled when In his presence,
Pnul reasoned Of righteousness, tem.
perance and judgment to come" and
who answered, go thy way for this
timc, when l have a convenient season
| will call FOR thee"
II today this message Ia coming TO
ono under conviction OF sin and feeling
the need of Savior, God forbid that
he should put II on and sny, go thy
way for this time" Who knows wheth.
or the convenient senaon" will ever
eomef He that being often reproved
hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be
destroyed, and that without remedy"
There is a law Of mental science
that Impressions frequently repeated
and unheedcd, lose their power to I'm.
press.
How often have you heard this In
vitntlon and warning, and turned a
deaf car TO IN Does II influence you
os strongly today as II did the frat
! day you heard IN II may be doubted
II u does. and that fact In Itself should
sound the alarm causing you to hasten
from the impending doom.