p. 30 | A Word of Exhortation by Jesse Dorcas

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 3, 1857

A Word of Exhortation.

By Jesse Dorcas

THERE is, in the work of our salvation, a choosing, on both sides. And if God is ready and willing to choose us to salvation, it is of vast importance that we hasten and delay not, to make the choice on our part: "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." Joshua could make a choice, and his God chose him. See Josh. xxiv, 14, 15, 22.

O how wonderful and full of comfort are the words of the Apostle in the concluding part of that striking prophecy of the present time, in 2 Thess. ii, 13. "But we are bound to give thanks to God always, for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." The loving Saviour that said of Mary, "She hath chosen that good part that shall not be taken away from her," died for us that we might have pardon, peace, and heaven; will we accept of these with all our heart?

"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life." O wondrous love! This life is in Jesus. If we choose him for our portion, all is ours. See 1 Cor. iii, 21, 22.

Say, dear reader, have you chosen the way of life? What is your decision? Perhaps you know that you are yet undecided, and that your condition is an unsafe one. Or it may be that you scarcely know how the matter stands with you. If so, wake up, lose not a moment's time, examine yourself by a few plain rules, and be no longer "double-minded." "For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord."

1. They who willingly neglect from day to day their salvation, are most surely in the way to death. Sin is the transgression of the law, and he that committeth sin is of the devil. Look over the list, and see.

2. The devil is very willing to keep himself out of sight of those whom he is deceiving. Therefore the first motions of sin should be watched with great fear, "lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." See the Saviour's definition of sin in Matt. v. Now if you willingly yield to these inward motions of the violation of the law, be assured that your case is not a safe one. Are you thoughtful and careful about this world, and thoughtless about the next? Beware! beware!

3. Those who have chosen Christ, and do not neglect their salvation, have been made to see the sinfulness of sin, and have been led to true repentance. They have seen Jesus crucified for them—put to an open shame; and they prefer him to the whole world. "To you who believe, he is precious."

4. Their affections are on heavenly things. The world is only secondary, and valued only as it subserves the work of God, over and above their daily bread, for which they daily pray, and are thankful.

5. They manifest their faith by lives of holiness, by watching and prayer. They resist sin in all its forms. They have a sensible knowledge of a change of heart in the things pertaining to God and their souls.

Lastly, if in none of these signs you are able to determine your case, I beseech you to be reconciled to God. I earnestly entreat you to choose the way of life. Now is your choosing time. Many years you have not got. Soon the time of trouble such as never was will be upon us." See Dan. xii, 1. Probation's hour is almost closed; then mercy, sweet mercy will be no more. If you ever intend to "choose the good part that shall not be taken from you," do it now, without delay. JESSE DORCAS. Fremont, Ohio.