June grace gems
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 12:53 am"Surely it is an intolerable disgrace to anyone to
profess to be a Christian, and have no concern about
the souls of others, while they are perishing by millions."
Anonymous
Be consistent!
Spurgeon- "Christ's People- Imitators of Him"
For Christianity's sake, strive to imitate Jesus.
Ah! poor Christianity, you have been sorely shot at by cruel
foes, but you have not been wounded one-half so much by
them as by your friends.
None have hurt you, O, Christianity,
so much as those who profess to be your followers.
Who have made these wounds in this fair hand of godliness?
I say, the professor has done this, who has not lived up to his
profession; the man who with pretences enters the fold,
being nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Such men, sirs, injure the gospel more than others-
more than the laughing infidel, more than the sneering critic,
does the man hurt our cause who professes to love it,
but in his actions does belie his love.
Christian, do you love that cause?
Is the name of the dear Redeemer precious to you?
Would you see the kingdoms of the world become the
kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ?
Do you wish to see the proud man humbled and the mighty
abased?
Do you long for the souls of perishing sinners, and are you
desirous to win them, and save their souls from the
everlasting burning?
Would you prevent their fall into the regions of the damned?
Is it your desire that Christ should see the travail of his soul,
and be abundantly satisfied?
Does your heart yearn over your fellow-immortals?
Do you long to see them forgiven?
Then be consistent with your religion.
Walk 'before God' in the land of the living.
Behave as an elect man should do.
Recollect what manner of people we ought to
be in all holy conversation and godliness.
This is the best way to convert the world;
yes, such conduct would do more than even the efforts
of missionary societies, excellent as they are.
Let but men see that our conduct is superior to others,
then they will believe there is something in our religion.
But , if they see us quite the contrary to what we avow,
what will they say?
"These religious people are no better than others!
Why should we go among them?"
And they say this quite rightly.
It is but common-sense judgment.
Ah! my friends, if you love Christianity,
be consistent, and walk in the love of God.
Follow Christ Jesus.
An unsaved person's perspective of Christians
(James Smith, "The Book You Will Like!" 1859)
I do not believe that you Christians believe your own creed — for if you were persuaded that things really are as your Bibles teach, and that we poor lost people were really going to such a dreadful place as you say Hell is — then you would act more humanely toward us.
If you saw our houses on fire — you would run and help us to put the fire out; or if you saw us in danger of death — you would try to do something to save us. But you pretend to believe that we are going to Hell, and that Hell burns with fire and brimstone forever, and that once there we can never get out — and yet you talk to us about all sorts of things — but never say one word to us about saving our souls from this terrible doom!
So I have reasoned thus: either you Christians don't believe what you say — or else you must be the most hardened and unfeeling wretches in the universe! Now, as I don't believe that you are such cruel, hardened, and unfeeling people as this supposes — then I must conclude that, with all your talk — you Christians don't really believe what your Bibles teach!
For if you really believe what you say about sin, and Hell, and our danger — then you would act differently; and if you have a spark of kindness in your hearts — you would try to save us from such a dreadful doom. And, on the other hand, if you do not believe what you profess — then you Christians cannot be honest; and to say the least, there must be a great deal of hypocrisy among you.
Now, I honestly tell you that these are the things which have stumbled me more than anything, and until I can see you Christians act differently — I will not be persuaded to believe what your sort of folks say.
profess to be a Christian, and have no concern about
the souls of others, while they are perishing by millions."
Anonymous
Be consistent!
Spurgeon- "Christ's People- Imitators of Him"
For Christianity's sake, strive to imitate Jesus.
Ah! poor Christianity, you have been sorely shot at by cruel
foes, but you have not been wounded one-half so much by
them as by your friends.
None have hurt you, O, Christianity,
so much as those who profess to be your followers.
Who have made these wounds in this fair hand of godliness?
I say, the professor has done this, who has not lived up to his
profession; the man who with pretences enters the fold,
being nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Such men, sirs, injure the gospel more than others-
more than the laughing infidel, more than the sneering critic,
does the man hurt our cause who professes to love it,
but in his actions does belie his love.
Christian, do you love that cause?
Is the name of the dear Redeemer precious to you?
Would you see the kingdoms of the world become the
kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ?
Do you wish to see the proud man humbled and the mighty
abased?
Do you long for the souls of perishing sinners, and are you
desirous to win them, and save their souls from the
everlasting burning?
Would you prevent their fall into the regions of the damned?
Is it your desire that Christ should see the travail of his soul,
and be abundantly satisfied?
Does your heart yearn over your fellow-immortals?
Do you long to see them forgiven?
Then be consistent with your religion.
Walk 'before God' in the land of the living.
Behave as an elect man should do.
Recollect what manner of people we ought to
be in all holy conversation and godliness.
This is the best way to convert the world;
yes, such conduct would do more than even the efforts
of missionary societies, excellent as they are.
Let but men see that our conduct is superior to others,
then they will believe there is something in our religion.
But , if they see us quite the contrary to what we avow,
what will they say?
"These religious people are no better than others!
Why should we go among them?"
And they say this quite rightly.
It is but common-sense judgment.
Ah! my friends, if you love Christianity,
be consistent, and walk in the love of God.
Follow Christ Jesus.
An unsaved person's perspective of Christians
(James Smith, "The Book You Will Like!" 1859)
I do not believe that you Christians believe your own creed — for if you were persuaded that things really are as your Bibles teach, and that we poor lost people were really going to such a dreadful place as you say Hell is — then you would act more humanely toward us.
If you saw our houses on fire — you would run and help us to put the fire out; or if you saw us in danger of death — you would try to do something to save us. But you pretend to believe that we are going to Hell, and that Hell burns with fire and brimstone forever, and that once there we can never get out — and yet you talk to us about all sorts of things — but never say one word to us about saving our souls from this terrible doom!
So I have reasoned thus: either you Christians don't believe what you say — or else you must be the most hardened and unfeeling wretches in the universe! Now, as I don't believe that you are such cruel, hardened, and unfeeling people as this supposes — then I must conclude that, with all your talk — you Christians don't really believe what your Bibles teach!
For if you really believe what you say about sin, and Hell, and our danger — then you would act differently; and if you have a spark of kindness in your hearts — you would try to save us from such a dreadful doom. And, on the other hand, if you do not believe what you profess — then you Christians cannot be honest; and to say the least, there must be a great deal of hypocrisy among you.
Now, I honestly tell you that these are the things which have stumbled me more than anything, and until I can see you Christians act differently — I will not be persuaded to believe what your sort of folks say.