The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1919-08-29

~ that all people of whatever race
or class are lost.
This message of the Bible is resent
ed by many, but why should we resent
knowing the truth about ourselves.
especially since God, who tells us we
are lost, also tells us that he has made
provision whereby we may be saved
Is 1t not better that we know our
actual condition than to go on in liz.
norance Of 1t? If we know we are
lost, and also know there is salvation
Tor the lost, then we may be saved If
we desire.
If for a single moment you doubt
that all men are lost, l would ask you
to read the third chapter of Romans,
and find out just what God says is tie
actual condition of all men. The teach
Ing Of this chapter In Romans, which
Is confirmed by other portions Of the
Word of God, gives the plain, I'M
vanished Truth concerning this matter.
IL should stir us to the very depths of
our beings, and would leave us in hope
less despair If God did not at once tell
us that he has graciously provided, in
the Lord Jesus Christ, salvation for all
men, and that they may be saved IL
they will take Christ as their Savior.
In the next place the Bible makes
clear distinction between people who
have taken Christ by faith as their
Savior and those who have not done
so.
1t says Of those who have failed to
make Christ their Savior that because
of this failure, since they are afflicted
with sin, they shall perish. What could
be palmer concerning this than the
statement of our Lord himself, spoken
to those who have not settled this mo-
mentous question: unless We repent
We shall all likewise perish;p or this
one, 'He that belleveth not the Son
shall not see life, but the wrath of
God abideth on him."
You see the Bible does not leave
anyone, who has not taken the Lord
Jesus Christ as his personal Savior,
In doubt for moment as to whether |
or not he Is saved, but plainly tells
him that he is lost.
Now what does the Bible say of that |
person who has by faith accepted the
Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior? Does
1t say of him that he is eternally
saved, or does it leave him in doubt?
Logically, If the one who has not talk
en- Christ as his Savior Is eternally
lost, then conversely II is true that the
one who has taken Christ as his
Savior is eternally saved. But does
the Bible teach this, and does it as
plainly give the believer in the Lord
Jesus Christ the assurance of his sal
walton, as 1t gives the unbeliever the
assurance that he Is lost? II certain
" seems reasonable that If one who
fails to accept Christ as his Savior
can know he is etsrnally lost, the one
who accepts Christ as his Savior
should be able to know he is eternally
saved. This Is precisely what our text
says the believer may know: "These
things have l written unto you-that
re may know" not hope, nor feel, but
know that We have eternal life"
Numerous passages in the Word
God substantiate this teaching, aud 1t
S only because we have hearts of I'M
relief that we ever doubt Ii. II Is so
and 1t seems too good to be
rue. that God should eternally save
hose who accept Christ as their per
onal Savior. But II Is true Just the
anne. for God has said It, and he can
lot lie.
II is a marvel of Gods grace that
he believer In the Lord Jesus Christ
I once has eternal life (John 3:16);
hat he passes at once from death
INTO life, and that he shall not come !
nto judgment (John 5:24). God who L
ayes has promised to finish the job, B
nd has made provision to do so. II is 4
OF for us, II we really have appropri- n
ted Christ as our Savior, to doubt q
hat God win faithfully finish our sal a
alton; but as Paul tells the Philippi-
ms .(Phil. 1:6), so should we be con- b
dent OF this very thing. "that he I
hitch hath begun a good work In you j
iii perform 1t until the day of Jesus U
hrist." a