IN every important investigation of Christian doctrine there exists a danger of having our attention so fully occupied by the arguments sustaining a position that we forget the important results and practical inferences which are to be deduced from the doctrines when established.
The investigation of the doctrine of Life through Christ alone, is no exception to this general rule. Some men had always rather argue than exhort. They had rather strive than pray. They had rather preach than practice the truth, and apparently rather convert one man to their peculiar opinions than a score of men from the ways of sin to the paths of peace.
This is not right. Doctrines are of no use only as they are practiced. Men may go to perdition with their heads full of truth. To hold the truth and fight for it is one thing. To be sanctified through it is another. To preach the truth is one thing, but to do it for the sole object of saving perishing men requires a zeal, and faith, and love, which but few possess. Lord increase the number.
Brethren, how is it with us? Do we realize these things? Do we tell the truth as if we felt in our hearts? Do we labor warning every man and teaching every man that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus?
How is it, reader? Do you feel as you ought that he that converteth a sinner shall save a SOUL from DEATH? Then let your earnest endeavors for the salvation of men prove to all, that your faith is something more than a mere mockery—an idle phantom—a vain imagination.178Recollect also that the cause of truth, the honor of God, and the welfare of souls demands that you labor to disseminate this truth. It will not do to remain silent. We are not allowed the privilege of being inactive. We are not permitted to retain even the name of Christians among some who reject the gospel doctrines of life and immortality as revealed in the Scriptures. We are cast out. We are misrepresented and traduced. There is only one course to take. We must prepare for it.—The investigation must proceed and the public must understand that this matter is not disposed of by a curse, or dismissed from notice in silent contempt. This subject must be thoroughly canvassed, and if theologians wish to make head against it, they must become better acquainted with this controversy than they have been heretofore.
It must be the purpose of believers to urge the matter upon public consideration, not roughly and unkindly, but in the spirit and temper of Him who did not “strive” or “cry,” but yet who did not “fail” or become “discouraged.”
We need an unflinching purpose to do God’s will—an entire devotedness to his cause—a profound conviction that we are not to judge men or to fear their judgment—a spirit of sacrifice and a disposition to cast ourselves entirely upon God’s truth, thus becoming identified with it and dead indeed unto the world and alive to God and his cause.
Above all let us so live that men seeing our good works may glorify our Father in heaven. Let not truth be wounded in the house of its friends by unkind and unchristian conduct. While you maintain a readiness to give to every one that asketh of you a reason of the hope that is within you, let it be “with meekness and fear,” and let Christian patience characterize all your communications with those who may oppose themselves to the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. "In meekness instructing them that oppose themselves," is as much a dictate of sound sense as of sound doctrine. Let not your neglect to make a practical application of the subjects under consideration, give countenance to the idea that these are only “opinions,” having no practical bearing upon earthly life—no living energy when applied to the events of this world as compared with that which is to come.
Remember that the “broad” road “leadeth to DESTRUCTION,” and can you be indifferent to the melancholy fact, that “many there be that go in thereat?” Have you no word of warning, of exhortation, of entreaty, to offer to them? Can you say to-day, or before the judgment seat of Christ, I am pure from the blood of all men? Remember the slumbering multitudes discern not the approaching sword; and shall you fail to give them warning? then shall God require at your hand their blood.
Remember he that winneth souls is wise. Will you be thus wise? Around you are those who may shine for ever as the brightness of the firmament. O, will you suffer them to go down to the “blackness of darkness for ever,” and yet neglect to turn their eyes away to the glad rising of the eternal morning, and the resplendent glories of perpetual day?
O, let these considerations excite us to laborious, constant, and energetic effort in the cause of God. Let us baptize our souls in the Love of God. Let us keep ourselves in it praying always in the Holy Ghost. Let us fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.
A little while and we must meet our Judge.—Are we ready? Have we warned those around us as we should? Have we sought for glory, and honor, and immortality, with the ardor worthy of such a matchless prize? If so let us patiently continue in the pursuit of the crown before us, but if not let us gird up our loins, shake the slumber from our souls, forsake our sin and worldliness, and strive with all our powers to gain eternal life.