The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-07-19

1ssssssssss-s man may be wise
enough to protect his family in case
of his death, and have protection
for his old age, his property and
his life; but his protection is In
complete until he cares for his soul.
The grave of this present life is but |
the gateway to the life to come, and
1t depends on how one has prepared |
for 1t whether that life to come has
complete protection. All must stand |
before God to be judged, for it Is
written, 'It is appointed unto man
once to die and after this the judy
ment" (Heb. 9:22). We will not be
surprised, therefore, to hear the proph-
cts warning, prepare to meet your
God"
There is an instinct in every man
which warns of wrath to come, and
however one may stifie it or give heed
to infdel denials, this truth abides.
And even though man has doubts
concerning whether there is any wrath
to come, he is unwise to have no pro-
lection against the possibility. He
protects himself against the coming OF
old age when he is uncertain of attain
ing to old age. He pays money for
fire insurance when he does not know
if fire will ever devour his property.
Even admitting therefore, a doubt as
to the wrath to come, neglecting to
provide against the possibility is folly.
The Means of Protection.
Protection for his soul cannot be
found in anything man has by his
own efforts. He might have money,
property and all material good and
i stil be unprotected. He might have
all the learning and wisdom of the
world and still be in danger of the
wrath to come. Whatever man has
or has not in these things does not
enter in here, for there is no respect
of persons with God, and God is the
Judge. Our text declares it is "Je-
sus who delivered us from the wrath
to come" God has given man the Cos
pei, and the gospel is that "Christ died
for our sins according to the Scrip
lures and rose again the third day"
Ct Cor. 15:4). 'For God so loved the
world that he gave his only begotten
Son that whatsoever believeth on him
should not perish but have everlasting
life" (Jno. 3:16). Neither is there
salvation in any other, for there is
none other name under heaven given
among men whereby we must be
saved" (Acts 4:12). 1t is written Of
Jesus that "He bare our sins in his
own body on the tree" Il Pet. 2:24),
and "He was wounded for our trans
gressions and bruised for our iniqui-
ties" lisa. So :6). He was "the Lamb
of God who taketh away the sin OF the
world' (Jno. :29). In this One, Jesus
Christ is found the only protection
from future Judgment, but it is found
SO surely and completely that the be-
lieyer can say of him, "Jesus, who de-
liyered me from the wrath to come"
The Obtaining OF Protection.
Many make the mistake Of thinking
that protection is found in good life
or charity toward ones fellow man.
Some think it Is found in keeping GER
tain laws, and others In religion. But
however uprightly one may live one
still is a sinner, for "all have sinned''
(Rom. 1929, and without the she'd
ding of blood there is no remission"
However charitable man might be to
his fellow man 1t can never absolve
him from his treatment Of God. And
however strict man might be In obey
ing the laws Of the land it cannot
atone for disobedience to the laws OF
God. All these things are good ano
proper in their place. but none OF then
nor all of them together can give pro
lection to mans soul In view OF the
wrath to come.
The Bible declares that simple faitf
in Jesus is the only way of obtaining
this protection. Believe on the Lore
Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved
is the message of the Bible. Toda!
Jesus says. II am the door, by me |
any enter in he shall be saved" Ono
10:9). He also says, "Him that com
eth unto NE will in no wise cast out
Ono. 6:37). In the day Of the foot
the only protection was the ark. The
who had faith went in and were saved
the others persisted. The wise maj
therefore will not only have protection
for his family in life insurance, AM
protection for his old age in the say
ings account. but protection froI
wrath to come in Jesus who is Cod
gift to all who will receive him.