| |
The
entrance of sin into our world has brought in its train
indescribable wretchedness. Guilt and remorse sting the
conscience and fill the soul with shame. Sinful habits
form the links of an iron chain, which bind the life in
utter despair. A chain of bondage which defies all human
strength. Burning lusts are set on fire from hell, all
clamoring for unholy indulgence; the gratification of
which is only followed by greater misery. Restless and
unnatural desires deprive the soul of peace; and the
half-awakened fears of death and judgment hang dark and
gloomy over the life. Hope dies, and with it, manhood and
womanhood give up their struggle, and surrender the life
to dark melancholy or open shame. Reader, SALVATION MEANS
DELIVERANCE from all these elements of woe and misery. And
should even this picture fall short of the deep shades of
your case, SALVATION yet means complete deliverance for
you. Actual deliverance from the strongest chain of habit,
the lowest depths of sin, the deepest hell of intemperance
and debauchery. Deliverance from darkness into light, from
the power of Satan unto God. From the woes of a guilty
Conscience into peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ; from remorse into the joys of pardon; from the
thralldom of sin into the glorious liberty of the sons of
God. O how wonderful! wonderful! ! deliverance by the
almighty arm of Him whose name is Wonderful!
And when all this blessedness is reached by divine miracle
of regeneration, if the newborn soul continues to
"desire the sincere milk of the Word, and grow
thereby," he will soon come to the privilege of
another great and glorious epoch in divine grace; the
entire sanctification of his nature; the utter destruction
of all inward bent to evil, and the restoration of the
"divine nature." 2 Pet. 1:4. Perfect deliverance
from the " body of sin, ," into the " image
of God," and his perfect love.
Beloved, this is not an overdrawn picture, nor a tale of
human fancy. Nay, it is the very substance of the sure
word of God. " For he hath made him to be sin for us,
who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness
of God in him. "—2 Cor. 5: 21
" Wherefore he is able also to save them to the
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth
to make intercession for them."—Heb. 7: 25.
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save
sinners; of whom I am chief."—1 Tim. 1:15.
And "where sin abounded grace did much more
abound."—Rom. 5:20.
Here saving grace is placed over against all Bin. And even
in hearts and lives where "sin abounded," grace,
the saving mercy of God, much more abounds. Though your
sins tower up like mountains unto heaven' grace towers far
above. Though they be as deep as hell, the grace of God
with omnipotent arm reaches unto you. Though great
wickedness spreads over all your past life, grace super
abounds to save you. "Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be white as snow; though they be red like
crimson, they shall be as wool. "—Isa. 1: 18.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness."—1 John 1:9. "And the blood
of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all
sin."—1 John 1: 7. To meet your wants as a great
sinner, God has sent to you "a Savior and a great
one." Isa. 19: 20. Though your soul is cursed by
"your manifold transgressions, and your mighty
sins." Amos 5:12, you may "make your
supplication to the Almighty."—Job 8: 5. Though
your lusts and wickedness rise like mighty billows and
threaten to sweep you quickly down to hell, " The
Lord on high is mightier that the noise of many waters,
yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. "—Psa. 93:
4.
"And being made perfect he became the author of
eternal salvation to all them that obey him. "—Heb.
5: 9.
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the
ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to
the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood
of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself
without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works
to serve the living Cod?"— Heb. 9:13, 14.
Reader, be assured that the writer is one, and he is
personally acquainted with thousands of others, who,
though our case has been as dark and hopeless as yours,
have, by the grace of God come to a happy realization of
those precious scriptures. Therefore, full salvation is
not only true in the Word, but also in fact. And if you
are willing and obedient will prove true in your case.
table
of contents
|
|
