Evening journal., 1916-01-21
The Great Confession
the Tabc rnacc Last Evening BY Dr. Lyon

Romans i; l6 "For am not
ashamed Of the Gospel OF Christ; for
II is the power OF God unto salvation
10 every one that belieyeth.-
The plainess. oarnestness and di-
rectness of these words of the apos-
tie. Immediately challenge our atten-
tion They come down 10 us through
the centuries with the same fresh
ness. force and fervor with which
they were first uttered Paul might
have reliyered am Grafton on pa
triotism which would have charmed
the Roman world. He might have
written a treatise upon science. or
ethics or philosophy. which would
have brought him universal favor
lie could have prepared thesis
upOn political science and govern
ment which would have gained the
appreciation of kings and cmperors
But hc was not seeking TO find what
was popular He knew the great need
of the Roman people was salvation
Hence he declared. Il am not
ashamed OF the gospel of Christ"
Paul might have denied bis Lord
first of an by refusing 10 follow the
lisht on the Damascus road He
might have said. 81 cannot afford IT,
II will mean an overturning of all
my plans and prospects and ambi-
ti0ns II viii mean a sacrifice Of
1lnancial social and political sue
cess That Is what many arc saying
To-day y cannot afford 10 be a
Christian. IL will cost too much
Have you ever reckoned what IL
would cost not 10 be a Christian? II
costs peace: it costs hope; IL costs
influence, IL costs happiness, IL costs
heaven
Paul might have denied his Lord
by saying. Il will be a Christian TO
an extent, in so far as il does not
interfere with my plans in business
or professional or political life. But
that kind OF a course is not 10 be
Christian at all The very first re-
: quirement Of Christianity is that
tiesus be accorded first place in the
ne To enter His kingdom as a cit
zen must be TO acknowledge His
kngship.
b Paul might have denied his Lord
Dy refusing 20 come out and make
public confession Of his faith He
= might have said, I'm my own heart I
q Will acknowledge Christ as my saw
5 Jour. but for various reasons il win
= not be expedient for me to make a
( declaration Of this fact 10 the world. p
) But such a course spells failure.
= There is no such thing as "A secret
Christian. Allegiance TO Christ i'm
= plies an open, positive. public decla.
Z ration Of faith. This confession be.
4 fore the world is essential. first Of al
= TO strengthen and to establish your
own faith. II clinches the nails yot
Z have driven, so they viii not pull out
+ II is essential also because Chris
5 commands it. If you are TO be
z Christian. you must be a friend o
( Christ Jesus says, ''Ye are M
\ friends if ye do whatever / comman,
y you" One of His plainest and mos
definite commands is 10 confess Hin
( before the world. There is no saliva
/. fion without obedience This public
& ACKNOWLEDGMENT of your faith 4
also essential to make your infiuencl
what II ought 10 be on the right side
Others are waiting for you. and lif'
! 0f evasion and denial would meaI
5 that some others Will be hindere'
{ and discouraged by your cowardice
t. ~Whoeyer is ashamed Of me- saiC
I Eesus. sin the midst OF this sinful an
! edulterous generation. Of him shal