Throughout this discussion we have constantly kept in mind the fact that God has a moral government and that His creatures have been endowed with the power of choice. The Lord never forces anyone’s will. All moral suasion and influences are brought to bear to induce men to exercise their power of choice and to accept the truth and the Saviour in order that they might be saved. But under such a regime as God’s moral government the Lord will not force anyone’s will. Should He do that, He would be violating the very principles upon which His kingdom is founded. Such a procedure would make His government collapse instantly. Man’s trouble is that he wills<\/i> not to come to Christ. „Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; 40 and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life“ (John 5:39,40).<\/p>\n
We are told that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but might have everlasting life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.<\/p>\n
According to Hebrews 2:9 Christ tasted death for every man. From II Peter 3:9 we learn that God is long-suffering „not wishing [not planning, lit. trans.] that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.“ Again, from I Timothy 2:4, we learn that God would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. The final invitation to one and all to come is found in Revelation 22:17: „And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.“<\/p>\n
From the verses which have just been quoted, it is abundantly evident that God will not force anyone’s will, but that the invitation has gone out to one and all to come and partake of the water of life freely. This invitation is given upon the basis of the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ tasted death for every man, that He abolished death, conquered him who had the power of death, disarmed all the evil wicked spirits and forces, and is conqueror of death. He is now the life-giving Spirit and offers life and salvation to all.<\/p>\n
Since God, as we have seen above, desires the salvation of every soul, we may be certain that He does everything in His power–short of forcing the will of the individual–to bring all to a saving knowledge of Himself. Concerning men who want the truth and will accept it when it is given to them, Isaiah declared: „The way of the just is uprightness: thou that art upright dost direct the path of the just“ (Isa. 26:7). The „just“ of this passage are those who are living up to the light they have and are desirous of receiving more light. God therefore directs their paths into the way of truth and righteousness. An excellent example of this principle is the case of Cornelius of whom we read in Acts, chapter 10. This man was a heathen who was walking in all the light that he had and was praying for more. God answered his prayer by instructing him to send for the Apostle Peter, who spoke to him words whereby he and his house could be saved (Acts 11:14). One can believe only by hearing the message regarding the Saviour. „For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord<\/i> is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: 13 for Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So belief cometh<\/i> of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ“ (Rom. 10:12-17).<\/span><\/p>\n The Lord Jesus assured all who long for righteousness that they shall be filled: „Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled“ (Matt. 5:6).<\/p>\n God will either send the gospel to every soul in the world who is living up to all the light that he has, and who will receive it, regardless of circumstances, or He will bring such a one to the place where he can hear of and receive the Saviour and His full and free salvation, as in the case of Cornelius.\u00b9<\/p>\n While all the principles which are expressed in the quotations above are true, literally true, yet we must recognize the doctrine that is set forth in Romans 8:28-30: „And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even<\/i> to them that are called according to his<\/i> purpose. 29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be<\/i> conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren: 30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.“ Before the foundation of the world God, being omniscient, did both see and know to the end of time every person who would accept the truth and be saved. Everyone of these who are foreknown are also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, „that he might be the first-born among many brethren“; and all whom He has foreordained, He calls; all those whom He calls, He justifies; and all whom He justifies, He glorifies. The same number that is foreknown is also glorified–not one more, not one less.<\/p>\n Everyone who has come to the Saviour and has been genuinely born again, been regenerated by the power of the Spirit of God, is in the list of those that are foreknown and also in the list of those that will be glorified forever and ever.<\/p>\n Theologians have never been able to solve the problems of the sovereignty of God and the freedom of man. Both doctrines are taught in the Word of God. We accept with unqualified faith these two propositions and believe them with all our hearts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I. HOW TO BE SAVED God is the Supreme Being, the Creator and the Preserver of the universe, and the one in whom all people live, move, and have their being. Of one man, Adam, God made „every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their<\/i> appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said. For we are also his offspring. Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: inasmuch as he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead“ (Acts 17:26-31).<\/span><\/p>\n From this quotation we see that God is our Creator. From this angle it is clear that we are His children, though we are in the fallen state:<\/p>\n 2<\/b> And you did he make alive<\/i>, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest: — but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places,<\/i> in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is<\/i> the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:1-10)<\/p>\n Since we are His offspring and are in a lost and undone condition, He yearns to save and to bless everyone regardless of race or color, riches or poverty, social or cultural status. He is longsuffering toward the world, „not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance“ (II Pet. 3:9b). To all who are burdened with sin, who are weary, and who are heavy-laden, the Lord Jesus extends the following invitation: „Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest! Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light“ (Matt. 11:28-30). Salvation is a free gift of God, „For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord“ (Rom. 6:23). God therefore sent His Son into the human realm in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He sent Him into the world to save all who will believe–simply trust Him–and accept Him as their personal Saviour, „For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have eternal life“ (John 3:16).<\/p>\n But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: 9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as<\/i> Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: 10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. for the same Lord<\/i> is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: 13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom. 10:8-13).<\/p>\n When our Lord died on the cross, He paid the price for the redemption of every soul in the world. He therefore commissioned His disciples to go forth and proclaim redemption through His shed blood to all nations: „And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world“ (Matt. 28:18-20). According to this passage, they were commanded to teach and to make disciples of all nations, baptizing all who accept Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour. Then they were to instruct them to observe and practice in their daily lives all the things which He commanded. A person must accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Deity from the depths of His heart, trusting Him to perform what in John 3:1-8 is called the new birth:<\/p>\n 3 <\/b>Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God! That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew. The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.<\/p>\n When he thus receives Jesus as his Lord and personal Saviour, in faith doubting nothing, the Holy Spirit cleanses, purifies, and regenerates the heart. The Holy Spirit dwells therein and empowers the yielded soul to observe the commands of Christ.<\/p>\n In preaching the gospel to the lost, the Apostle Paul declared that he „shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ“ (Acts 20:20,21). He presented his message concerning redemption through Christ in the same way to Jews as he did to Gentiles. When he was with the Jews, he became as a Jew and when he was with Gentiles, he became as a Gentile (I Cor. 9:20-22). He adapted his personal approach to and recognized the intellectual and spiritual condition of the one to whom he was bringing the message. In doing this, however, he never violated any principle of morals, ethics, or the Word of God; neither did he change in anywise his message regarding Christ. To all–both privately and publicly–he stressed the point that all men must everywhere repent toward God, and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He assumed that his hearers believed in the existence of a Supreme Being whom we call God, and to whom each one is personally responsible for his life and conduct. Sin and wrong-doing always blind the mind and prevent anyone’s seeing things in their true light. Moreover, all sin, regardless of its nature, is, in its final analysis, against God. Men must therefore repent toward God, against whom they have sinned. David recognized this fact and said:<\/p>\n „Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, Having thus repented toward God, they are then to put their faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son and the Saviour of the world who purchased redemption for all on the cruel cross of Calvary by pouring out His life’s blood in our behalf. On the one hand, salvation is a matter of the pure sovereign grace of God; on the other hand it is of pure faith on the part of the sinner. There is absolutely nothing which one may do to commend himself to God. Abraham simply believed God. He did not even so much as turn his hand upside down. His faith was reckoned unto him for righteousness (Gen 15:6). In the Apostle Paul’s commenting upon this thought, he declared:<\/p>\n 4<\/b> What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, hath found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not toward God. For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works, saying,<\/i> Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord will not reckon sin (Romans 4:1-8).<\/p>\n Salvation is either a matter of grace, pure sovereign grace; or it is of works, of reward. It cannot be of grace plus works. The terms, grace and works, are mutually exclusive. Salvation is of grace wholly and entirely, or it is of works, that is, of merit. According to the Apostle’s inspired declaration, it is a matter of God’s grace, of which one partakes by simply believing. This position the Apostle affirms in Titus 3:4-8:<\/p>\n But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men (Titus 3:4-8).<\/p>\n According to this statement God saves us by His kindness, that is, His grace. The merits of work done, even in righteousness are excluded. He therefore, according to His mercy, saves us through cleansing from sin by regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n In Acts, chapter 2, we have a record of the first gospel sermon preached after the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. This message of life was preached by the inspired Apostle, Peter, on the day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem. A full account of the circumstances that led to the delivery of this message and of the results flowing therefrom is found in the second chapter of the Book of Acts.<\/p>\n The message spoken in the power of the Holy Spirit went home to the hearts of the audience. We are therefore told that „when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?“ Peter replied, „Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call, unto him“ (Acts 2:38,39). In our seeking to understand the significance of the Apostle’s language, let us remember that the Jews were schooled in terms of Old Testament phraseology. He therefore clothed his message in words that they could easily understand. Let us also remember that the risen, glorified Lord commanded His Apostles to baptize all those accepting Him as Saviour. Peter therefore instructed those who received Jesus as Lord and Christ (Messiah) to submit to baptism „in the name of Jesus Christ.“ Some Greek texts have „upon the name of Jesus Christ.“ This phrase is an echo from the Old Testament. Men began in the days of Enosh „to call upon the name of Jehovah“ (Gen. 4:26). To call upon the name of Jehovah was to look to Him in worship, adoration, and praise. Peter commanded those who wished to be acceptable to God to repent of their sins and to be baptized; but, in doing this, he emphasized the thought that they should look to Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as God, and rendering worship and praise to Him as such. To all thus receiving Him as „Lord and Messiah“ (Acts 2:36) and rendering divine adoration and worship, he promised they would receive remission of sins and the Holy Spirit. Thus, when properly understood, this verse teaches that men are saved by their recognition of Jesus Christ as God and worshiping Him as such. In other words, men could repent of their sins and be baptized–just as Peter here commanded–and at the same time not recognize Jesus as Lord and Christ and not call upon Him in worship as their God and Saviour. Apart from the recognition of Christ as the divine Saviour, formalities and ceremonies avail nothing. Even genuinely repenting and submitting to baptism, simply because Christ commanded it, without recognizing His deity, would not save any person. There are men who deny the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, yet recognize His authority as a great teacher. These could repent toward God and by the authority of Christ submit to baptism, but they would never be saved approaching God in this way. „Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me“ (John 14:6). With such a thought as this in mind, Peter told his audience that they would have to recognize the deity and messiahship of Jesus in sincere worship in order that their sins might be forgiven them. This interpretation of the passage is in harmony with all the teaching of the entire Word of God.<\/p>\n But let me hasten to add this warning: Since baptism is not a saving<\/i> ordinance, some people have come to think very lightly of it. Unfortunately, many ignore altogether the Lord’s instructions regarding it. This should never be. There is only one attitude to take, which is expressed in such words as these: „Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.“ Let us be willing to follow the Lord in everything which He has commanded, recognizing Him and His authority in all things. Submitting to baptism in the name of Christ is but an open confession in the form of an overt act, declaring one’s faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. (See Matt. 28:19,20.)<\/p>\n In the eighth chapter of Acts we have an account of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, who probably was a proselyte to the Jewish religion, and who had gone to Jerusalem to worship the true God. Here is the account:<\/p>\n But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here<\/i> is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea (Acts 8:26-40).<\/p>\n This man was living up to all the light he had and evidently was searching for more. The Lord knew ahead of time that this truth seeker would read the scroll of Isaiah. He also knew the very time and place where he would be when he would come to chapter 53. He therefore told Philip, the evangelist, who was in a revival in Samaria, to quit, go, and preach to this man. The Lord timed all events and circumstances connected with the case so that Philip might meet the eunuch at the psychological moment–when he would be reading the prophecy concerning the Servant of Jehovah, who allows the stroke of judgment to fall upon Himself, in order that those who accept Him and His atonement might go free. The eunuch believed the Word of God and was convinced that Philip had correctly interpreted Isaiah’s prophecy as being fulfilled in Christ, „the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world“ (John 1:29). As to whether or not Philip taught him that those who accept Christ should be baptized, the record does not say. It is more than likely that, since the Christians at Jerusalem were, according to Acts, chapter 2, assembling daily in the Temple area, the eunuch had heard the Apostles preach and had learned from them concerning baptism during his stay there. Being an earnest, sincere man, doubtless he inquired into their beliefs; and hence when Philip had shown him that Isaiah 53 was a prophecy of Jesus, and when they came to a certain water, he requested to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ: that is, recognizing Christ as the Lord and Messiah of his life, as well as his personal Saviour. Having accepted Christ and become a new creature in Him, the eunuch went on his way rejoicing.<\/p>\n In Acts 16:19-34 we read of the conversion of a Roman, the Philippian jailer:<\/p>\n But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers, and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God (Acts 16:19-34).<\/p>\n This straightforward narrative is very clear and calls for little comment–for the one who has no theory to support, but who is seeking the truth with reference to how to be saved.<\/p>\n When the earthquake occurred–which without doubt was a direct act of the Almighty in answer to the Apostles‘ prayers and for the forwarding of His cause at this place and time–the jailer concluded that the prisoners had escaped. Knowing his accountability to his superiors in the government, he called for a sword in order to kill himself. Paul shouted, „Do thyself no harm: for we are all here“ (Acts 16:28b), for all the-prisoners were still in the jail. He rushed in, fell down before Paul and Silas; then brought them out, and said, „Sirs, what must I do to be saved?“ They replied, „Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.“\u00b2 The man asked the Apostles a direct question–what would he have to do to be saved. The inspired apostles replied, telling him how to be saved: „Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.“ Their instructions on this point are in keeping with all the Scriptures. Men are saved simply by trusting the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes we are told that the formula for salvation is faith plus obedience. Had this theory been correct, Paul would have told the Philippian jailer, „Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and obey Him, and thou shalt be saved.“ But, someone informs us that obedience is but faith in action! That is true, but not in the case of accepting salvation; for, as we have already seen in Romans 4:1-8, salvation is a matter of pure faith, not of works. If it is of faith, then it is not of works; and vice versa. But does not faith manifest itself in obedience? Most certainly. But the faith which saves, rather, that takes hold of the Saviour who saves, is a simple trust in Him to save. The Redeemer paid the complete price for man’s redemption, and nothing that man can do or say can make the atonement more efficacious.<\/p>\n That saving faith is thus to be understood is very apparent from a study of Hebrews, chapter 11. In this marvelous revelation Paul gives us examples of faith. In verse 3 he declares, „By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God …“ Is faith here at the very beginning of the discussion thought of as putting itself forth in action, in obedience to something God has commanded? Such an idea is excluded. The faith that saves is the same type of faith as that which understands that the Lord framed the worlds by the Word of God, Christ, the Living Word. We simply accept by faith that proposition. We then adjust all our thinking in accordance with that faith. In verse 11 the writer declares, „By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed …“ Sarah was barren. The Lord promised that she should become a mother in her old age. Though she could not understand how this could be, she believed the promise. When she took that attitude, God gave her power to conceive. Hence we are told that she „received power to conceive …“ In verse 22 we read, „By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.“ Joseph simply believed that, according to the promise of God, the Hebrews would leave the land of Egypt on schedule time. Believing the plain, unvarnished word of God, he therefore gave commandment concerning the removal of his bones to the land of his fathers. Faith here is simply trusting God, believing what He said. His faith expressed itself in giving this command. In the latter part of this chapter–especially from verse 33 on–we see the heroes of faith who were not in a position to perform any great exploits, but who simply endured affliction by faith. Look particularly at verse 35: „Women received their dead by a resurrection …“ They simply believed God’s promise. When they took that attitude, God fulfilled His promises to them. In the light of all this data and much other that could be produced, we come to the conclusion that faith, saving faith, is one that simply trusts Christ for salvation. A person therefore takes hold of the promises by faith. When he thus accepts the Saviour, the Holy Spirit regenerates the heart and implants new life in the soul.<\/p>\n Footnotes:<\/p>\n \u00b9 10<\/b> Now there was<\/i> a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,<\/i> a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius. And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.<\/p>\n Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: and he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance; and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean. And a voice came<\/i> unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.<\/p>\n Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate, and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there. And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them. And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God<\/i> by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee. So he called them in and lodged them.<\/p>\n And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And on the morrow they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends. And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and findeth many come together: and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet<\/i> unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean: wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me. And Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, and saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side. Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord. And Peter opened his mouth and said,<\/p>\n Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.) — that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; even<\/i> Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even<\/i> to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be<\/i> the Judge of the living and the dead. To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days (Acts chapter 10).<\/p>\n \u00b2 This verse has by some been interpreted to mean that a man’s household will be saved by his own faith. This interpretation is contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures in general. Men are saved by faith–their own faith and not that of another: „… for by grace have ye been saved through faith“ (Eph. 2:8).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n (Continued-Chapter X -Under God’s Moral Regime Only Those Who Believe Can Be Saved)<\/p>\n „Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, THE HIDDEN LINE There is a time, we know not when, There is a line by us unseen, To pass that limit is to die, The Conscience may be still at ease, But on that forehead God has set And yet the doomed man’s path below He knows, he feels that all is well, Oh! where is that mysterious bourne How far may we go on in sin? One answer from the skies is sent; (Dr. J. Addison Alexander.)<\/p>\n II. HOW TO LIVE AS A CHRISTIAN<\/p>\n When anyone is saved and has the joy of the Lord in his heart, he should do as Andrew did, who, upon learning that Jesus was the Messiah, went and brought his brother Peter to the Lord. Men are saved for service. We are no longer our own; we are bought with a price–„with precious blood, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ“ (I Pet. 1:19). We therefore are to glorify God in our daily lives.<\/p>\n Those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as Saviour should not only win others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ but should do as those did who accepted Christ on the day of Pentecost: „And they continued steadfastly in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers“ (Acts 2:42). These disciples listened to the teaching of the Apostles and continually obeyed, not only the letter, but the spirit of their teaching. They continued in fellowship, one with the other; that is, they continued in mutual association with each other and in helpfulness to all. In doing this, they, as is seen in the latter part of this chapter, gave of their means for the good of the community of Christians and for the propagation of the truth of the gospel. They likewise continued in „the breaking of bread.“ The breaking of bread here is doubtless a reference to their observing the Lord’s supper which Jesus instituted the night on which He was betrayed. One account of this is found in Matthew 26:26-29:<\/p>\n 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my father’s kingdom.<\/p>\n From Acts 20:7 it appears that the disciples at Troas had the custom of meeting on the first day of the week for the purpose of remembering the Lord’s death till He come: „And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow.“ On this occasion not only did they come together to break the bread, but they did it: „… And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed“ (Acts 20: 11). The early church continued, as we see in Acts 2:42, in prayer, that is, they continued steadfastly in prayer, realizing that God hears and answers the petitions of His people.<\/p>\n To every one who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and has become a new creature in Him, I would say that he should by all means procure a copy of the New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and read it daily, asking God to open his eyes that he might understand the wonderful things that are found in the Word. Whenever he discovers a truth new to him, he should immediately act upon it, and thus keep walking in the light as He is in the light. Christians are urged to „grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen“ (II Pet. 3:18). This exhortation does not imply that the unsaved can so act and conduct themselves as to enter the state of grace. No, when we accept Christ, the Lord delivers us–translates us from the kingdom of darkness and places us in the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col. 1:13): „… who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.“ Being thus transplanted into the sphere of grace, we are urged to grow under such favorable circumstances and to increase in the knowledge of the truth. We can thus make this spiritual growth only by constant prayer and fellowship with God in worship and in the reading of the Word „not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is …“ (Heb. 10:25).<\/p>\n Let the one who has found Christ take his stand upon the promise found in Romans 8:28: „And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.“ I wish to bear testimony to the fact that God is faithful and will work out in the life of everyone who loves Him, and who is called according to His purpose, everything for his good. Sometimes things will seem to be contrary to the promise of God, but the Lord knows His own and is making everything that comes into their lives contribute to their well-being.<\/p>\n III. HOW TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT<\/p>\n The apostolic teaching is that all who accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and are born again should yield themselves to the Spirit of God by a surrender of all personal preferences and desires. They are to be open to conviction and to be willing to receive any and everything that God has said in His Word. Thus by surrendering their wills to do the will of God and by reading the Scriptures for the purpose of knowing what He desires of His servants, they make it possible for the indwelling Spirit of God to have an opportunity of influencing and guiding their thoughts and desires to do what is plainly written in the Word. Hosts of both men and women through the centuries who have accepted Christ have been enabled by the yielded life to be led by the Spirit. The Apostle Paul was bold in asserting that he was living the victorious life and in glorying in the fact that Christ was living His life in him: „I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me“ (Gal. 2:20).<\/p>\n Thoughts concerning the yielded life, that appeal to me very much, from the pens of others, I herewith present.<\/p>\n „As you leave the whole burden of your sin, and rest upon the atoning work of Christ, so leave the whole burden of your life and service and rest upon the present inworking of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n „Give yourself up, morning by morning, to be led by the Holy Spirit, and go forward praising and at rest, leaving Him to manage you and your day. Cultivate the habit, all through the day, of joyfully depending upon, and obeying Him, expecting Him to guide, to enlighten, to reprove, to teach, to use, and to do in and with you what He will. Count upon His working as a fact, altogether apart from sight or feeling. Only let us believe in and obey the Holy Spirit as the RULER of our lives, and cease from the burden of trying to manage ourselves, then shall the fruit of the Spirit–love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control, appear in us, as HE will, to the glory of God“ (Anon.).<\/p>\n „To be filled with the Spirit … All that is necessary is to allow the Holy Spirit to take control. ‚The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death‘ (Rom. 8:2). It is simply a question of yielding to the Spirit’s control–an utter and complete abandonment of one’s life to God, reckless of the consequences and regardless of the future … The New Testament emphatically declares that ’sin shall not have dominion over you‘ (Rom. 6:14) … Thank God, the victorious life is possible, but it is possible only by giving up struggling, and by yielding to the Holy Spirit … ‚Let go–and let God!‘ ‚He breaks the power of cancelled sin and sets the prisoner free.‘<\/p>\n „If the fullness of the Spirit is to be a continuous reality, there must be a constant and continued yieldedness to God. Said Dr. Chas. Inwood, ‚There is no such thing as a once-for-all filling. It is a continuous appropriation.‘<\/p>\n „The perpetual filling of the Spirit is dependent upon constantly repeated consecration and surrender. There are no short cuts to spirituality. Every day of life should witness a renewal of the act of consecration, but the radiant Christian life resultant therefore is a testimony to the power of the indwelling Spirit …“ (F. A. Tatford).<\/p>\n Additional thoughts on the yielded life are found in the following passages of Scripture:<\/p>\n 6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; for he that hath died is justified from sin. But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him. For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:1-11).<\/p>\n 3 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things‘ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him: where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:1-17).<\/p>\n 13 Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him. Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working. Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins (James 5:13-20).<\/p>\n 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1 John 2:15-17).<\/p>\n 15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE GLORIFICATION OF MAN To those who have accepted the Lord Jesus–have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb–and who are regenerated, God has made wonderful and marvelous promises concerning the life which now is and that which is to come: „but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which<\/i> entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him“ (I Cor. 2:9). The reason why so very many of us who are Christians are not enjoying the fullness of His blessings is that we are not fully surrendered to accept God’s will in our daily lives and are not trusting Him fully as we should. The Word of God is full of most blessed promises to us, which He makes good to all who will by faith and in love follow Him. Thus our earthly pilgrimage with Him is indeed „The Royal Road of Life.“<\/p>\n We know not when our summons will come to leave this earth and to enter into the glories of our Lord. It may be at any season–either by death or by being caught up to meet the Lord in the air:<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).<\/p>\n „Speed on, perfect year, to the morning; That we shall thus enter into His glorious kingdom upon our Lord’s return is absolutely certain; for we have His sure word of promise:<\/p>\n For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit,<\/i> the redemption of our body. For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? But if we hope for that which we see not, then<\/i> do we with patience wait for it. And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered; and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will<\/i> of God. And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even<\/i> to them that are called according to his<\/i> purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be<\/i> conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is<\/i> for us, who is<\/i> against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:18-39).<\/p>\n We shall enjoy the blessings of the great Kingdom Age here upon earth which are described in verses 18 to 25 of the foregoing passage, and which will continue for a thousand years. It is far beyond the comprehension of any of us at the present time to conceive of the glories of the coming age that await us.<\/p>\n At the end of the Kingdom Age the material universe will pass away, according to our Lord’s prediction: „Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away“ (Matt. 24:35). That this passing away of the physical universe will occur at the end of the Kingdom Age is evident from John’s statement in Revelation 20:11: „And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.“ Immediately upon the passing away of the present cosmic order, the Almighty will bring into existence the new, the eternal universe, which will never be defiled by sin or uncleanness, and which will endure forever. In the eternal Jerusalem, the city four-square, which will be the capital of the new universe, all the redeemed will live forever and ever.<\/p>\n 21<\/b> And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be<\/i> their God: and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away. And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true. And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be<\/i> in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal: having a wall great and high; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are the names<\/i> of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: on the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that spake with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to<\/i> the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the several gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof. And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb. And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it. And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there): and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it: and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:1-27)<\/p>\n For thee, O dear, dear Country! The mention of thy glory The Lamb is all thy splendor, I know not, O I know not, O fields that know no sorrow! Exult O dust and ashes! Jesus, in mercy bring us <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In the foregoing pages we have seen that the Eternal God, existing in the form of three divine personalities, each of whom is co-eternal and co-equal with the others, is the one in whom we live, move, and have our being, and to whom each of us is personally responsible and must eventually give an account of his life and deeds. He is sovereign over a great moral kingdom, the citizens of which have been placed on various levels where they should live, and by the exercise of their powers of choice should serve and worship Him.<\/p>\n Moreover we have learned that man by his free choice and a deliberate act pitted his will against that of the Almighty. In his doing this, his nature became changed, corrupted, and he was cut off from the life of God, and is now dead in trespasses and sin. His condition, as he is, is hopeless.<\/p>\n We have also seen that one of the divine personalities, Jehovah the Son, voluntarily laid aside the glory which He had with the Father, assumed the form of a servant–entering the human realm by miraculous conception and virgin birth–and championed man’s cause in order to deliver man from the death sentence and to defeat Satan, the great adversary of God and man, and to render him inoperative. The Son of God gave up His human life on the cross, and by His blood made atonement for sin.<\/p>\n Under His moral government God cannot and will not force man’s will; yet He uses all moral suasion to induce men to avail themselves of the atonement for sin and to accept His free salvation–for both time and eternity. Under this moral regime only those who in faith accept the blood atonement–the finished work of the Son of God on the cross–can enjoy the eternal benefits flowing from Christ’s sacrificial work which He came to earth to accomplish.<\/p>\n God in His great love and passion for the souls of men sent Christ to carry out the plan of redemption, „For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life“ (John 3:16).<\/p>\n To every one who is living up to the light that he has and is desirous of more of the truth of God that he might conform his life to the divine pattern, the message of truth, God will assuredly send the truth: „For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward him“ (II Chron. 16:9a).<\/p>\n Those who are not thirsting after the living God, and who will not accept Him when He is presented to them will, when they pass out of this life, spend all eternity without God and without hope, where „there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth“ (Matt. 8:12b).<\/p>\n In view of all these facts–veritable unquestioned facts and truths–I plead with you who are lost. Stop! Look! Listen! Now is the time for you to accept the Redeemer of man and the salvation which He offers you full and free. There is no time for delay. You know not what the morrow may bring forth.<\/p>\n In the language of the Apostle Paul I would plead with the lost to be reconciled to God: „But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation 20 We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you<\/i> on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 21 Him who knew no sin he made to be<\/i> sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in him“ (II Cor. 5:18-21). God planned the scheme of redemption. Christ executed it. And the Holy Spirit, in a special manner, through His ministers who proclaim His Word, is beseeching lost sinners to accept the Lord Jesus Christ and become reconciled to God. There is but one way of being reconciled and that is to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s atonement, and to receive Him by faith, coming in the spirit of the hymn:<\/p>\n Just as I am, without one plea, Just as I am, and waiting not Just as I am–Thou wilt receive, Just as I am–Thy love unknown –Charlotte Elliott<\/i> (1789-1871).<\/p>\n Footnotes:<\/p>\n \u00b9 Extracts from „The Heavenly Jerusalem,“ by Bernard, a monk of Cluny, based on the last two chapters of Revelation, composed about 1145.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CHAPTER XUNDER GOD’S MORAL REGIME ONLY THOSE WHO BELIEVE CAN BE SAVED \u00a0 Throughout this discussion we have constantly kept in mind the fact that God has a moral government and that His creatures have been endowed with the power of choice. The Lord never forces anyone’s will. All moral suasion and influences are brought … <\/p>\n
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\nAnd done that which is evil in thy sight;
\nThat thou mayest be justified when thou speakest,
\nAnd be clear when thou judgest“ (Ps. 51:4).<\/p>\n
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\nAnd looks to God alone;
\nLaughs at impossibilities,
\nAnd cries, „It shall be done!“<\/p>\n
\n(The Destiny of Men)<\/p>\n
\nA point, we know not where,
\nThat marks the destiny of men
\nTo glory or despair.<\/p>\n
\nWhich crosses every path;
\nThe hidden boundary between
\nGod’s patience and God’s wrath.<\/p>\n
\nTo die as if by stealth;
\nIt does not quench the beaming eye,
\nOr pale the glow of health.<\/p>\n
\nThe spirit light and gay;
\nThat which is pleasing still may please,
\nAnd care be thrust away.<\/p>\n
\nIndelibly a mark
\nUnseen by man, for man as yet
\nIs blind and in the dark.<\/p>\n
\nMay bloom as Eden bloomed;
\nHe did not, does not, will not, know
\nOr feel that he is doomed.<\/p>\n
\nAnd every fear is calmed;
\nHe lives, he dies, he wakes in hell,
\nNot only doomed, but damned.<\/p>\n
\nBy which our path is crossed;
\nBeyond which, God himself hath sworn,
\nThat he who goes is lost?<\/p>\n
\nHow long will God forbear?
\nWhere does hope end, and where begin
\nThe confines of despair?<\/p>\n
\n„Ye that from God depart,
\nWhile it is called to-day, repent,
\nAnd harden not your heart.“<\/p>\n
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\nGod’s fulness shall dawn on the just,
\nAnd thou, open Grave, shalt restore us
\nThe glorified from from the dust.“<\/p>\n
\nMine eyes their vigils keep;
\nFor very love, beholding
\nThy happy name, they weep.<\/p>\n
\nIs unction to the breast,
\nAnd medicine in sickness,
\nAnd love and life and rest.<\/p>\n
\nThe Crucified thy praise:
\nHis laud and benediction
\nThy ransomed people raise.<\/p>\n
\nWhat holy joys are there!
\nWhat radiancy of glory,
\nWhat light beyond compare!<\/p>\n
\nO state that fears no strife!
\nO princely towers! O land of flowers!
\nO realm and home of life!<\/p>\n
\nThe Lord shall be thy part:
\nHis only, His for ever,
\nThou shalt be and thou art!<\/p>\n
\nSoon to that land of rest;
\nWho art, with God the Father,
\nAnd Spirit, ever blest!\u00b9<\/p>\n
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\nBut that Thy blood was shed for me,
\nAnd that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,
\nO Lamb of God, I come! I come!<\/p>\n
\nTo rid my soul of one dark blot,
\nTo Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
\nO Lamb of God, I come! I come!<\/p>\n
\nWilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
\nBecause Thy promise I believe,
\nO Lamb of God, I come! I come!<\/p>\n
\nHath broken every barrier down;
\nNow, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
\nO Lamb of God, I come! I come!<\/p>\n
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