The Imminent Danger and the Only Sure Resource of This Nation # 6 (and others)

The Imminent Danger and the Only Sure Resource of This Nation # 6 (and others)

The present likewise is a very important crisis. All that is dear to us, as men, as Christians, is threatened. Our enemies are inveterate and enraged!  Our sins testify against us. But if we humble ourselves before God, forsake our sins, and unite in supplications for His mercy - who can tell, but that He may be entreated to give us that help which it would be in vain to expect from man? Yes, we have encouragement to hope, that if God will be for us - then none can prevail against us. (Romans 8:11). But without His blessing, our most powerful efforts, and best concerted undertakings, cannot succeed for a moment!

You who have access to the throne of grace, whose hearts are concerned for the glory of God, and who lament not only the temporal calamities attendant upon war - but the many thousands of souls who are yearly plunged by war into an eternal, unchangeable state - you, I trust, will show yourselves true friends to your country, by bearing your testimony, and exerting your influence against SIN - the procuring cause of all our sorrows; and by standing in the breach, and pleading with God for mercy, in behalf of yourselves, and of the nation. If ten people, thus disposed, had been found even in Sodom - it would have escaped destruction! (Genesis 18:32).

IV. There may be some people in this assembly, who are little concerned for their own sins, and are, of course, incapable of taking a proper part in the service of this day. Yet I am glad that you are here; I pity you, I warn you. If you should live to see a time of public distress - what will you do? To whom will you look, or where will you flee for help? All that is dear to you may be torn from you, or you from it!

Or if it pleases God to prolong our tranquility, you are liable to many heavy calamities in private life. And if you should be exempted from these, death is inevitable, and may be near! My heart wishes you the possession of those principles which would support you in all the changes of life, and make your dying pillow comfortable. Are you unwilling to be happy? Or can you be happy too soon? Many Christian people are now looking upon you - who once were as lost as you are now. And I doubt not - that they are praying that you may be as they now are. Try to pray for yourself! Our God is assuredly in the midst of us. His gracious ear is attentive to every supplicant. Seek Him while He is to be found. Jesus died for sinners, and He has said, "those who come to Me - I will never cast out." (John 6:37). He is likewise the author of that faith, by which alone you can come rightly to Him. If you ask Him for saving faith - he will give it to you; if you seek it, in the means of His appointment, you shall assuredly find it. (Matt. 7:7).

If you refuse this, there remains no other sacrifice for your sin. (Hebrews 10:26-27). If you are not saved by faith in His blood - you are lost forever! "Oh! Pay homage to the Son, or He will be angry, and you will perish in your rebellion; for His anger may ignite at any moment! Blessed are all who take refuge in Him!" (Psalm 2:12).

~John Newton~

(The End)
______________________

As Your Biblical Knowledge Widens

There are many who regard an increasing acquaintance with the text of the Bible, as an evidence of growth in grace.

Ask yourselves the solemn question. In proportion as you store your minds with biblical texts and biblical ideas - are you all the while seeking to have your heart filled with biblical feelings, and your life with biblical actions?

As you grow in acquaintance with the character of God - do you reverence Him more? As your ideas brighten on the person of Christ - do you love Him more? As you become more acquainted with the perfection and spirituality of God's Word - do you delight in it more? As you see more clearly the evil of sin - do you hate it with a more intense hatred?

As your Biblical knowledge widens,  do you become more profoundly humble, more tenderly conscientious, more gentle, more spiritual?

Unless this is the case, you are in a fatal mistake by supposing that you are making progress in the divine life, merely because you are advancing in biblical knowledge.

~John Angell James~

(The End)