Part 3
him who is afraid of ridicule and rejects Christ, often results in the eternal ruin of the soul. Next use Mark 8:28: "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." 2. Show that it is a glorious privilege to be ridiculed for Christ. Use for this purpose Matthew 5:11-12: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." {72} XII. "I WILL BE PERSECUTED IF I BECOME A CHRISTIAN." Never tell any one that he will not be persecuted. On the contrary say, "Yes, I presume you will be persecuted, for God tells us in His Word, that all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." To prove it show him 2_Timothy 3:12: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." But then tell him that it is a great privilege to be persecuted for Christ's sake, and brings an abundant reward. Have him read Matthew 5:10-12, and drive home the thought that we ought to rejoice at the privilege of being persecuted rather than to shrink from being a Christian on that account. Then show him the result of suffering with Christ. Turn to 2_Timothy 2:12: "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us." Use Romans 8:18 to show him how shall are the sufferings of this present time in comparison with the glory that we shall obtain through them: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Compare 2_Corinthians 4:17.) Acts 5:40-41 is useful as showing how the early church regarded persecution, rejoicing in it
rather than shrinking from it: "And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." Another passage which is also useful in such a case is 1_Peter 2:20-21: "For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." XIII. "I HAVE NO FEELING." This is a very common difficulty. There are many who wish to come to Christ, but do not think they can come because they have {73} not the proper feeling. The first thing to do in such a case, is to find out what feeling the inquirer thinks it is necessary to have in order to become a Christian. 1. "THE JOY AND PEACE THAT CHRISTIANS TELL ABOUT." The feeling that many inquirers are waiting for is the joy and peace that Christians speak of. Of course the thing to do in such a case, is to show the inquirer that this joy and peace is the result of coming to Christ, and that we cannot expect the result before we come. The first passage to use to show this is Galatians 5:22: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." This shows that joy and peace are the fruit of the Spirit, and we cannot expect to have the fruit of the Spirit until we have received the Spirit, and we cannot receive the Spirit until we have accepted Christ. This is brought out very clearly in Ephesians 1:13: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, AFTER THAT YE BELIEVED, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Emphasize the point that it is AFTER we believe that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Use also Acts 5:32: "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM." This will show that the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Christ, and we cannot expect to receive the Holy Spirit until we have obeyed God by putting our trust in Jesus Christ and confessing Him openly before the world. A verse which will be useful in this connection as showing that it is after we confess Christ that He confesses us before the Father, is Matthew 10:32: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." And so we have no right to expect the sealing of the Holy Spirit until we have confessed Christ before men. It is after we have believed that we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 1_Peter 1:8: {74} "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Our duty is believing with the heart and confessing with the mouth, leaving the matter of feeling to God; Romans 10:10: "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." 2. "SORROW FOR SIN." The feeling that many are waiting for, is a feeling of sorrow for sin. If you find this to be the case with any individual with whom you are dealing, proceed as follows: (1) Use the passages already given to produce conviction of sin. (See Chapter Six, Section I.) (2) Show that it is not sorrow for sin, but turning away from sin and accepting Christ that God demands. For this purpose use the following passages: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:7. "But as many as received him, to them gave he
power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12. "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38. XIV. "I HAVE BEEN SEEKING CHRIST BUT CANNOT FIND HIM." 1. It is well oftentimes to say to one who raises this difficulty, "I can tell you just when you will find Christ." This will probably awaken surprise, but insist, "Yes, I can tell you just when you will find Christ. If you will turn to Jeremiah 29:13, you will find the exact time when you will find Christ." Then let him read: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, WHEN YE SHALL SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART." "Now this verse tells the time when you will find Christ, when is it?" "When ye shall search for me with all your heart." "The fact is, up to this time, you have not been seeking for Him with all your heart. Are you ready to let go of everything else and seek Him today with all your heart?" This passage has been used in a {75} great many cases to lead out one who has been seeking Christ for years, into a real acceptance of Him. 2. It is well sometimes to say to one who raises this difficulty, "Then you are seeking Christ? Well, did you know that Christ also is seeking you?" Then turn to Luke 19:10 (or Luke 15:3-10) and read. "Now you say you are seeking Christ, and Christ says He is seeking you, how long ought it to take for you to find one another? Will you just come to Christ and trust Him here and now?" 3. Sometimes the best thing to do is to say, "Well, if you are earnestly seeking Christ, let me show you how to find Him." Then deal with the inquirer in the way described in Chapter Five. XV. "CHRISTIANS ARE SO INCONSISTENT." This is one of the most common difficulties that we meet. Probably the best passage to use is Romans 14:12: "So then every one of us shall give account of
himself to God." When a person raises this difficulty, you can say, "So you are troubled about the sins of Christians; let me show you from God's own Word what He says about that." Then have him read the passage. When he has read the passage, ask, "Who does God say you will have to give an account of?" "Myself." "Not of inconsistent Christians then?" "No." "Are you ready to give an account of yourself to God?" The mere reading of this verse without comment, has led many who have been dwelling upon the inconsistency of others, to see themselves lost and undone before God, and to turn and accept Christ right there. Another useful passage is Romans 2:1-5. Hand it to the inquirer and ask him to read it carefully. When he has read it, ask him if this passage does not describe him, if he is not judging others for doing the very things he does himself. Then ask him what God says about those who judge others for what they are doing themselves. Ask him further what God says in the third verse that such a person will not escape. Ask him what the fourth verse tells him that he is really doing; and then ask him what the fifth verse tells him he is treasuring up for himself. In many cases Matthew 7:1-5 will be found useful. {76} XVI. "THERE IS SOME ONE I CANNOT FORGIVE." This is often the difficulty even when it is not stated. I have frequently found that when people told me they could not accept Christ and did not know why, the real difficulty was here, there was some one who had wronged them, or who they thought had wronged them, and they would not forgive him. 1. The first thing to do with such a one is to say, "YOU MUST FORGIVE OR PERISH." To prove this, use Matthew 6:15: {@Ed.cmt} "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Follow this up with Matthew 18:21-35: 2. Say to the person, "THE WRONG THEY HAVE DONE YOU IS NOTHING TO THE WRONG YOU HAVE DONE JESUS CHRIST." Here use Ephesians 4:32: "And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's
sake hath forgiven you." You might also use Matthew 18:23-35. 3. Next show the inquirer that he can forgive the other in Christ's strength. Use for this purpose Philippians 4:13 and Galatians 5:22-23: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." XVII. "A PROFESSED CHRISTIAN HAS DONE ME A GREAT WRONG." 1. First you can reply by saying, "THAT IS NO REASON WHY YOU SHOULD WRONG CHRIST! HAS HE WRONGED YOU?" Use Jeremiah 2:5: "Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your fathers found IN ME, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?" Ask the inquirer if he has found any evil in Christ, that that is what God is asking Him. One night I turned to an aged man and asked him if he was a Christian. He replied no, that he was a backslider. I asked him why he had backslidden, and he said Christian people had treated him badly. I opened my Bible and read Jeremiah 2:5 to him, and asked him, "Did you find any iniquity in God; did God not treat you well?" With a good deal of feeling, the man admitted that God had not treated him badly. I held him right to this point of God's treatment of him and not man's, and his treatment of God. It is well to follow this passage up with Isaiah 53:5 as bringing out very vividly just what Christ's treatment of us has been. 2. In the next place you can say to the one who raises this difficulty, "THE FACT THAT A PROFESSED CHRISTIAN HAS DONE YOU A GREAT INJURY IS NO REASON WHY YOU SHOULD DO YOURSELF A GREATER INJURY BY REFUSING CHRIST AND LOSING ETERNAL LIFE AND BEING LOST FOREVER." Then you can say, "Let me show you what injury you are doing yourself by rejecting Christ." Use for this purpose John 3:36, and 2_Thessalonians 1:7-9: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting
life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. XVIII. "I HAVE DONE A GREAT WRONG AND WILL HAVE TO MAKE IT RIGHT AND CANNOT." 1. TELL THE INQUIRER TO TAKE CHRIST FIRST, AND LEAVE THE MATTER OF SETTLING THE WRONG WITH HIM, that he cannot settle the matter as it ought to be settled until he has first taken Christ. Make it very plain that the only thing God requires of a sinner is to accept Christ, and all other questions must be left until that point has been settled. Use John 3:36 for this purpose, and Acts 10:43. 2. Show him further that IF THERE IS ANY WRONG TO BE MADE RIGHT, CHRIST WILL GIVE HIM STRENGTH TO MAKE IT RIGHT, and use for this purpose Philippians 4:13. XIX. "I HAVE SINNED AWAY THE DAY OF GRACE." This is a very serious difficulty. It often arises from a poor state of health and a morbid condition of mind, but I have never found a case that would not yield to prayerful and judicious treatment. The best passage to use, and one that generally proves sufficient, Is John 6:37, the last clause: {78} "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." It is oftentimes necessary to read it over and over and over again, sometimes for days and days. Hold the inquirer to the one thought that God says He is ready to receive any one who will come, urging him to come now. Another useful passage is Romans 10:13: "For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Dwell upon the "whosoever." The case of Manasseh as recorded in 2_Chronicles 33:1-13 is useful as showing the extent to which one can go and yet how God will receive them to Himself, if they only humble themselves before him.
Luke 23:39-43 is oftentimes useful as showing how one was saved even the hour of death. XX. "IT IS TOO LATE." This difficulty is very much like the preceding one, and the same passage, John 6:37, is also useful in this case. Oftentimes, however, Deuteronomy 4:30-31 will prove more helpful: "When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, EVEN IN THE LATTER DAYS, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (for the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them." In using the passage, emphasize the thought, "even in the latter days." Still another passage is 2_Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, but that all should come to repentance." It shows that God is not willing that any should perish, and that the reason why He delays His judgment is that men may be brought to repentance. Luke 23:39-43 is useful as showing that one was saved even as late as his dying hour, and Revelation 22:17 tells us that WHOSOEVER WILL may take of the water of life freely. {79} XXI. "I HAVE COMMITTED THE UNPARDONABLE SIN." 1. The first thing to do in this case is to SHOW JUST WHAT THE UNPARDONABLE SIN IS. For this purpose use Matthew 12:31-32, noting the context. This passage taken in its context makes it plain that the unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, and that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost consists in deliberately attributing to the devil, the work which is known to have been wrought by the Holy Spirit. Having shown just what the unpardonable sin is, ask the inquirer, "Have you done this? Have you deliberately attributed the work which you knew to be done by the Holy Spirit to the devil?" In almost every case, if not in every case, it will be found that the inquirer has not done this. 2. Having shown what the unpardonable sin is, and that the inquirer has not committed it, USE JOHN
6:37 as in the preceding case. Even if the inquirer thinks that he has committed the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, use John 6:37. Ask the inquirer what Jesus Christ says about those who come to Him, and then ask him if he will come to Christ right now. If he says, "I have committed the unpardonable sin," reply that it does not say, "Him that has not committed the unpardonable sin that comes to me I will in no wise cast out," but, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out," and put the question again, "Will you come?" to every new excuse that arises, simply repeat the promise, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," and repeat the question, "Will you come?" If he raises some new difficulty as probably he will, simply say, "Jesus says, 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out,' will you come?" Repeat and repeat and repeat, over and over again, until this promise is fairly burned into the heart praying all the time for the Holy Spirit to carry it home. A man was once sent to me who was in the depths of despair. He had attempted suicide some five times. He felt that he had sinned away the day of grace, and committed the unpardonable sin, and that the devil had entered into him as he did into Judas Iscariot. Day after day I dealt with him, always using John 6:37. To every excuse and difficulty he would bring up I would simply say, "Jesus says, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." I met him at last one day for a final conflict. I said to him, "Do you believe what Jesus says?" He replied, "Yes, I believe everything in the {80} Bible." "Well," I said, "did not Jesus say, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out'?" "Yes," he replied. I said, "Will you come?" He replied, "I have committed the unpardonable sin." I said, "Jesus did not say, 'If any man has not committed the unpardonable sin, and comes to me I will in no wise cast him out'; He said, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out'; will you come?" He said, "I am possessed of the devil." I replied, "Jesus did not say, 'If a man is not possessed of the devil and comes to me I will in no wise cast
him out'; He said, 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.'; will you come?" He said, "The devil has actually entered into me." I replied, "Jesus did not say, 'If the devil has not entered into a man and he comes to me I will in no wise cast him out'; He said, 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out'; will you come?" He said, "My heart is too hard to come." I replied, "Jesus did not say, 'If a man's heart is not too hard and he comes to me, I will in no wise cast him out'; He said, 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out'; Will you come?" He said, "I don't feel like coming." I replied, "Jesus did not say, "If any man feels like coming, and comes to me, I will in no wise cast him out'; He said, 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out'; will you come?" He said, "I don't know that I can come in the right way." I replied, "Jesus did not say, 'If any man cometh unto me in the right way, I will in no wise cast him out'; He said, 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out'; will you come?" He said, "I do not know that I want to come." I replied, "Jesus did not say, 'He that wants to come, and comes to me I will in no wise cast out'; He said, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out'; will you come?" He said, "I don't know that I know how to come." I replied, "Jesus did not say, 'He that knows how to come, and comes to me I will in no wise cast out'; He said, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out'; will you come? Will you get down here now and come just the best you know how?" Hesitatingly the man knelt down. I asked him to follow me in prayer. I prayed about as follows: "Lord Jesus, thou hast said 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out'; now the best I know how, I just come." The man repeated the words after me. I said, "What has Jesus done? Never mind what you feel, but what does Jesus say He has done? 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' What has Jesus done, what does He say He has done?" He replied, "He has received me." I said, "Are you willing to stand there on the naked Word of God?" He replied, "I am." "Now," I said,
"you are going to your room. I have no doubt that the devil will give you an awful fight, but will you stand right there on the word of Jesus, 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out'?" He replied, "I will." He went to his room. The devil did come and assail him, and try to get him to look at his own heart, his own feelings, and his doubts, but he kept looking to the promise of Jesus, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out"; he believed that naked promise, he came out of his struggle a victor. This was eight or nine years ago. Today he is one of the most useful men in America. XXII. HEBREWS 6:4-6. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY TO RENEW THEM AGAIN UNTO REPENTANCE; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Very many men and women are in deep distress of soul over this passage. They fear that it describes them, and that there is no hope of their salvation. The way to deal with such a person is to explain to him the exact meaning of the passage. 1. Show him first of all, that it is addressed to Hebrew Christians who were in danger of APOSTATIZING, RENOUNCING CHRIST and going back to Judaism. Then ask him if this describes his case. Of course he will say that it does not. Furthermore show him that it does not describe a person who has merely fallen in sin, but one who has FALLEN AWAY, that is apostatized, and deliberately renounced Christ. Ask him if this describes his case. In most cases, of course, it will be found that it does not. 2. In the next place show him that the difficulty is not that God is not willing to receive such a one back, but that it is impossible "to renew them again unto repentance." That is, that their hearts are utterly hardened, and they have no desire to come to Christ. Then show him that this does not describe his case, the {82} very fact of his
being in anxiety and burden of heart proving that it does not. 3. Sometimes all of this fails, if so, simply go over the fourth verse, and ask him if that has really been his experience, if he has actually been made a partaker of the Holy Ghost. 4. Show him by the case of Peter that one who has been a follower of Christ may fall into deep sin, and yet be restored and become more useful than ever. Use for this purpose, Luke 22:31,34; Mark 14:66-72, John 21:15-19. 5. Finally use John 6:37, as described above. XXIII. HEBREWS 10:26-27. "For IF WE SIN WILLFULLY AFTER THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, THERE REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." Many are troubled by this passage just as others are troubled by Hebrews 6:4-6. I have met many in deepest anguish because they thought that this described their experience. The way to deal with such a one is to show him exactly the meaning of the verse. Explain to him that the word "willfully" means deliberately, and of stubborn choice. It is the same word that is translated "willingly" in 1_Peter 5:2. It does not describe a man who in weakness falls into sin, but a man who, with his whole heart, rejects obedience to God and the service of Christ, and throws himself with all his soul into sin. Ask him if this describes his case. Finally use John 6:37. XXIV. "GOD SEEMS TO ME UNJUST AND CRUEL." 1. The shortest way of dealing with many who say this, is to take them at once to Romans 9:20: "Nay but, O man, WHO ART THOU THAT REPLIEST AGAINST GOD? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" Apply the verse directly to the inquirer's case. Ask him if he realizes who God is, and who he himself is, and say, "You are replying against God. You are accusing God of sin. Now this is God's message to you, 'Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God?'" This verse has been used of the Holy Spirit to break down {83} in repentance and tears many a man who has
complained against God. This may be followed up by Romans 11:33: "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! HOW UNSEARCHABLE are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" Show the inquirer that the reason God seems to him to be unjust and cruel is because such is the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, and so unsearchable are His judgments, that he cannot find them out. This can be followed up still further by Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Another excellent passage to use is Job 40:2: "Shall he that CONTENDETH WITH THE ALMIGHTY instruct him? HE THAT REPROVETH GOD, let him answer it." When the complainer has read the verse, ask him if he wishes to contend with the Almighty. Show him further that he is reproving God, and God says he must answer for it; ask him if he is ready to answer for it. 2. IF THE INQUIRER IS COMPLAINING OF GOD'S CRUELTY BECAUSE OF SOME SORROW OR ANGUISH IN HIS OWN LIFE, it is well to use Hebrews 12:5-7, 10-12: "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" "For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and
the feeble knees." One should deal very tenderly with a case like this, yet at the same time faithfully. Show the inquirer that the sorrows and disappointments {84} and afflictions that he has suffered are God's loving dealings with him, to bring him into a life of holiness and higher joy, that God does not willingly afflict. One can follow the above passage with Isaiah 63:9: "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old." In order to lead the sorrow-stricken soul to see that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, use Romans 8:18: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Another useful passage is 2_Corinthians 4:17-18: "For our light affliction, which is BUT FOR A MOMENT, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 3. Sometimes it is well to say in such a case, "You would not think that God was unjust and cruel if you only realized the depth of your own sin against Him," and use Matthew 22:37-38 to show him the greatness of his sin, in the way described in Chapter Six. No man {85} after he has been led by the Word of God and His Spirit to see himself as God sees him, will any longer have any difficulty with God's way of salvation, but will be only too glad to find that a sin-bearer has been provided for him. XXVI. "THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS IN THE BIBLE THAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND." 1. The first step in such a case is to show the objector why he cannot understand. A good passage to use for this purpose is 1_Corinthians 2:14: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto
him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." It can be used in this way: when the man has said, "There are so many things in the Bible that I cannot understand," reply, "Yes, that is just what the Bible says." Then show the man the passage, and say to him, "This verse tells you just why you cannot understand what is in the Bible, because 'the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness UNTO HIM,' and I suppose that many of them appear like foolishness to you." "Yes." "This verse tells you why it is, 'because they are spiritually discerned.' The truth is, you are spiritually blind. If you will turn from sin and accept Christ, you will get spiritual sight, and then many things which you cannot understand now will become as plain as day." Isaiah 55:8-9 can also be used: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." You can say to the one with whom you are dealing, "This tells why you cannot understand God's truth. Why is it?" "Because His thoughts are higher than my thoughts." Daniel 12:10 is also useful: "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and NONE OF THE WICKED SHALL UNDERSTAND; but the wise shall understand." {86} Before the man reads it, you can say to him, "I can show you a passage in the Bible that tells you just exactly why you cannot understand, and also how you can understand." When he has read it, ask him who it is that does not understand. "The wicked." "And who shall understand?" "The wise." A passage which can also be used to good effect is 2_Peter 3:16-18: "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye
therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the terror of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness." 1_Corinthians 13:11-12 and Romans 11:33 can also be used. 2. The second step is to show how to understand. John 7:17 makes this as plain as day: "IF ANY MAN WILL DO HIS WILL, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." Follow this up with Psalm 119:18 and James 1:5: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." XXVII. "I CANNOT BELIEVE." We will take up skeptics more at length in Chapter Eleven. At this point we take up the matter merely as an honest difficulty that some find in the way of accepting Christ. 1. When one states this as a difficulty, it is often well to ask him what he cannot believe. A man once said to Mr. Moody, "I cannot believe." Mr. Moody said, "Whom can't you believe?" He replied, "I cannot believe." "Whom can't you believe, can't you believe God?" "Yes," the man replied, "I can believe God, but I cannot believe myself." Mr. Moody said, "I don't want you to believe yourself, I want you to believe God." Oftentimes the difficulty is with some doctrine that has nothing directly to do with salvation; for example, a man will say, "I cannot believe the account of creation given in the first chapter of Genesis, and I cannot {87} believe the story about Jonah and the whale." Now of course a man ought to believe the Bible account of creation given in the first chapter of Genesis, and he ought to believe the story about Jonah, but these are not questions to discuss with an unsaved man. When a man states some such difficulty as this, the best thing to do is to say, "Can you believe in Jesus Christ?" "Yes, I can believe in Jesus Christ." "But will you believe in him, will you accept Him as your Savior, your sin-bearer, and
your Lord and Master?" Show the man that it does not say, believe this doctrine or that doctrine and thou shalt be saved, or this incident or that incident in the Bible, but "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." For this purpose use Acts 16:31 and John 3:16: "And they said, BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life." After the man has really believed on Christ and been saved, and grown somewhat in Christian knowledge, he will be in a position to take up secondary questions. Many a well-meaning worker makes a great mistake in discussing secondary questions with an unsaved man, when he is in no position to understand them at all, but should be held to the vital point of the acceptance of Jesus Christ as a Savior and Lord and Master. 2. In many cases, perhaps in most cases, when one says, "I cannot believe," the real difficulty that lies back of their inability to believe, is unwillingness to forsake sin, and it is well to say to such a person, "Is your unbelief the real difficulty, is there not some sin in your life that you are unwilling to give up?" I was once called to deal with a man, and was told that he was a skeptic, and needed help along that line. I said to him, "Are you a skeptic?" He replied, "Yes." I asked him what made him a skeptic, and he said because he could not see where Cain got his wife. I said to him, "Is that your real difficulty?" "Yes." I replied, "Then if I remove that difficulty, and show you where Cain got his wife, will you become a Christian?" He said, "Oh, no, I cannot promise that." "But," I said, "you said that was your difficulty, the thing that kept you from accepting Christ; now if I remove that difficulty, {88} and you are honest, of course you will accept Christ." The man laughed and saw that he was cornered. "Now," I said, "let me ask you a question; is not the real difficulty some sin in your life?" The man broke down and confessed that it was, and he told me what the sin was, and professed to give it up and accept Christ
then and there. When you are convinced that the real difficulty in the case is sin, a good passage to use is John 5:44: "How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only." Say to the man before he reads it, "Yes, I suppose you cannot believe, bet Jesus Christ tells us just why it is that men cannot believe," and then have him read the passage. Then you can say to him, "The reason why you cannot believe according to this verse, is because you are seeking the honor that comes from man and not the honor that comes from God alone. Is this not so?" Be courteous, but do not let the inquirer dodge that point. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." This will show the man that he not only needs to forsake his way, but his thoughts as well, and that if he will, and return to the Lord, He will have mercy upon him and abundantly pardon. 3. Finally in dealing with this difficulty, it is well to show a man how to believe. You can say to him after you have dealt with him along the lines already mentioned, "I can show you how to believe." Then give him John 7:17: "If any man WILL DO HIS WILL, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." Ask him if he will be willing to do the will of God, if he will surrender his will to God. Then show him James 1:5-7: "If any of you lack wisdom, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." {89} Follow this up with John 20:31: "But THESE ARE WRITTEN, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." Then give him the Gospel of John to study
prayerfully. We will go into this more at length in Chapter Eleven. @08 CHAPTER EIGHT HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN FALSE HOPES I. THE HOPE OF BEING SAVED BY A RIGHTEOUS LIFE. 1. This is the most common of false hopes. Even among those who profess to be Christians, there are many who are really depending upon their lives as Christians for their acceptance before God. Those who are depending upon their righteous lives for salvation, are readily known by their saying such things as this: "I am doing the best I can." "I do more good than evil." "I am not a great sinner." "I have never done anything very bad." This mistake can be directly met by Gal. 2:16: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED." After the passage has been read, you can say to the one with whom you are dealing, "Now you are expecting to be justified and accepted before God by what you are doing, by your own life and character; but God tells you in this passage, that 'by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.'" Follow this up by Romans 3:19-20: "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW THERE SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Call attention to the fact that here again we are told that, "by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight," and {91} furthermore, that the purpose of the law is to stop the mouths of men. Then take him to Galatians 3:10: "For AS MANY AS ARE OF THE WORKS OF THE LAW ARE UNDER THE CURSE; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." Before he reads it, say to him, "I want you to
read a verse from the Word of God that tells you just how God regards one who is trying to be saved by his righteous life, as you are." Then let him read the passage. When he has read the passage, ask him where God says that he is, and hold him to the point until he sees that in depending upon his good deeds for salvation, he is under the curse. James 2:10 will also be found useful: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet OFFEND IN ONE POINT, he is guilty of all." Before the man reads the verse you can say, "Well, if you are going to be saved by your righteous life, let us see what God requires in order that a man may be saved on the ground." After he has read the verse, show him that if he is going to be saved by the law, he must keep the whole law, for if he offends in one point he is guilty of all. A verse which is useful in showing the kind of righteousness that God demands, is Matthew 5:20: "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." This verse shows that no man's righteousness comes up to God's standard, and if a man wishes to be saved, he must find some other way of salvation than by his own deeds. It is sometimes well in using this passage, to say to the inquirer, "You do not understand the kind of righteousness God demands, or you would not talk as you do. Now let us turn to God's own Word and see what kind of righteousness it is that God demands." 2. There is another way of dealing with this class, by using such passages as these: "And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God KNOWETH YOUR HEARTS: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." Luke 16:15. {92} "In the day when GOD SHALL JUDGE THE SECRETS OF MEN by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Romans 2:16. "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE HEART." 1_Samuel 16:7. These passages show that God looks at the heart. Hold the inquirer right to that point. Every man, when brought face to face with that, must tremble, for he knows that whatever his outward life may be, his heart will not stand the scrutiny of God's all-seeing and holy eye. No matter how self-righteous a man may appear, we need not be discouraged, for somewhere in the depths of every man's heart is the consciousness of sin, and all we have to do is to work away until we touch that point. Every man's conscience is on our side. 3. Matthew 22:37-38 can also be used with those who expect to be saved by their righteous lives. You can say to the man, "If you expect to be saved by your righteous life, you are greatly deceived, and certainly entertain a false hope. For so far from living a righteous life, you have broken the very first and greatest of God's commandments." Of course he may not believe this at first, but you can turn him to the passage mentioned, and show him what the first and greatest of God's commandments is, and ask him if he has kept it. This passage is especially useful if a man says, "I am doing the best I can," or if he says, "I am doing more good than evil." you can say to him, "You are greatly mistaken about that. So far from doing more good than evil, you have broken the first and greatest of God's laws," and then show him the passage. 4. A fourth method of dealing with this class is to use Hebrews 11:6 and John 6:29: "But WITHOUT FAITH it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." "Jesus answered and said unto them, THIS is the work of God, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH SENT." These passages show that the one thing which God demands is faith, that the work of God is to believe on Him whom He hath sent, and that without faith it is impossible to please God whatever {93} else a man may possess. John 16:9 can also be used to show that unbelief in Christ is the
greatest sin: "Of sin, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE NOT ON ME." 5. Still another way of dealing with this class is by the use of John 3:36: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." This shows that the gift of eternal life depends solely upon a man's acceptance of Jesus Christ. That the sin which brings the heaviest punishment is that of treading under foot the Son of God, can be shown by Hebrews 10:28-29: "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Before using this passage, it is well to say, "You think you are very good, but do you know that you are committing the most awful sin in God's sight which a man can commit?" If he replies, "I do not think so," then tell him, "Let me show you from God's Word that you are." Then turn to this passage and read it with great solemnity and earnestness. A very useful passage with many a self-righteous man is Luke 18:10-14. You can say to the man, "There is a picture in the Bible of a man just like you, who expected to be accepted before God on the ground of his righteousness, and who had, as men go, much righteousness to present to God, but let us see what God says to him." Then have him read the passage. It is well to bring all those who expect to be saved by a righteous life into the presence of God, for in His holy presence self-righteousness fades away. (See Isaiah 6:5 and Job 42:5-6.) But how shall we bring any one into the presence of God? By opening to them passages that reveal the holiness of God, and by praying the Holy Spirit to carry these passages home. It is also well whenever possible, to get the inquirer to pray. Many a man who is stoutly maintaining his excellence before God, has given way when he has
been brought to get down on his knees in God's very presence. {94} II. "GOD IS TOO GOOD TO DAMN ANY ONE." This is what another class of those who entertain false hopes think. 1. When any one says this, you can reply, "We know nothing about God's goodness, except what we learn from the Bible. If we give up the Bible, we have no conclusive proof that God is love, and can therefore build no hopes upon His goodness. But if we accept the Bible statement that God is love, we must also accept the Bible representations of the goodness of God. Let us then go to the Bible and find out the character of God's goodness." Then turn the inquirer to Romans 2:4-5: "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering; NOT KNOWING THAT THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADETH THEE TO REPENTANCE? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God." When the man has read the verse, you can say to him, "This verse tells us what the purpose of God's goodness is; what is it?" "To lead us to repentance." "And what does this verse tell us will be the result if we do not permit the goodness of God to lead us to repentance, but trample it under foot and make it an excuse for sin?" He will find the answer to this question in verse five, and hold him to it until he sees it, that if we despise the riches of His goodness, then we are treasuring up unto ourselves "wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God." You can also use John 8:21,24 and John 3:36 to show the man that however good we may be, if we do not believe in Jesus with a living faith, we shall die in our sins, and not go where Jesus is, and that we shall not see life, but that the wrath of God abideth upon us. 2. Still another way to deal with this man is to show him that it is not so much God who damns men, as men who damn themselves in spite of God's goodness, because they will not repent and come to Christ and accept the life freely offered. For this purpose use 2_Peter 3:9-11:
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord {95} will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?" Another good passage to use in this way is John 5:40: "AND YE WILL NOT COME to me, that ye might have life." Press the thought of this text home, that if any one does not obtain life, it is because he will not come to Christ, and that men therefore are damned in spite of God's goodness if they will not come to Christ and accept life. In much the same way one can use Ezekiel 33:11: "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" It is sometimes well to say, "You are right in thinking that God is not willing to damn any one: furthermore He offers life freely to you, but there is one difficulty in the way. Let us turn to John 5:40 and see what the difficulty is." When he has read it, you can say, "You see now, that the difficulty is not that God wishes to damn you, but that you will not come to Christ that you might have life." 3. If these methods do not succeed, 2_Peter 2:4-6,9 may prove effectual: "For if GOD SPARED NOT THE ANGELS THAT SINNED, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an
overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." Before using the passage you can say, "The best way to judge what God will do is not by speculating about it, but by looking at what He has done in the past." Then turn to these passages and let him read. When he has read it, ask him, "What did God do with the angels that sinned?" "What did He do with the world of the ungodly in the days of Noah?" "What did He do with the wicked {96} in the days of Sodom and Gomorrha? What then may you expect Him to do with you in spite of any theories that you may have about His character and actions." This should all be done not in a controversial way, but with great earnestness, tenderness and solemnity. You can say still further, "God has not left us to speculate as to what He will do with the persistently impenitent, He has told us plainly in Matthew 25:41,46": "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." You may say still further that God does bear long with man, but His dealings with man in the past show that at last His day of waiting will end, and in spite of man's doubt of His word, and doubt of his severity in dealing with the persistently impenitent, He does at last punish. You might use 2_Chronicles 36:11-21 as an illustrative case in point. 4. It is well sometimes to add to all the other passages, John 3:18-19: "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Before having the inquirer read the verses, you
can say, "You say God is too good to damn any one, but the truth is that you are condemned already. It is not a question of what is going to happen to you in the future, but a question of your present position before God." When he has read the passage, ask him, "When is it that the one who believeth not is condemned?" "Already." "Why is it that he is condemned?" "Because light is come into the world, and he loves darkness rather than light." 5. Luke 13:3 is very effective in some cases, for it shows how the "good" God deals with persons who persist in sin. The passage can be used in this way: "You say God is too good to damn any one, but let us see what God Himself says in His Word." Then turn to the passage and read, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Repeat the passage over and over again until it has {97} been driven home. An earnest missionary in the western part of New York was once holding meetings in a country village. The Universalist minister of the place was very anxious to engage the missionary in a controversy, but the missionary always said that he was too busy for controversy. One day the Universalist minister came into the house where the missionary was calling; he was delighted to see him, for he thought that his opportunity for a discussion had come at last. He began the customary universalist argument about God being too good to damn any one. After he had gone through the usual volume of words, the missionary simply replied, "I am too busy for argument, but I just want to say to you, that except you repent, you shall likewise perish." The Universalist was somewhat angry, but replied sneeringly, "That is not argument, it is simply a quotation from the Bible," and then ran on with another stream of words. When he had finished his second speech, the missionary simply replied, "I have no time for argument, but I just want to say to you, except you repent, you shall likewise perish." Again the Universalist sneered and poured forth another torrent of what he called argument. Whet he had finished this time the missionary again said, "I have no time for controversy, I simply want to say
to you that except you repent, you shall likewise perish. Now I must go, but let me say, you will not be able to forget what I have said." The Universalist preacher laughed, and said he guessed he would forget it quick enough, that the missionary had used no argument whatever, but had simply quoted the Bible. The following day there was a knock at the missionary's door, and when it was opened, the Universalist preacher came in. The missionary said, "I have no time for argument." "Oh, sir!" said the other, "I have not come to argue with you. You were right yesterday when you told me there was one thing I would not be able to forget; I feel that it is true, that except I repent I must perish, and I have come to ask you what I must do to be saved." The missionary showed the man the way of life, and the result was, the Universalist became a real believer in Christ, and a preacher of the truth he had previously labored to pull down. III. "I AM TRYING TO BE A CHRISTIAN." The third class of those who entertain false hopes, are those who say, "I am trying to be a Christian." {98} 1. Show the inquirer that it is trusting and not trying that saves. For this purpose use Isaiah 12:2: "Behold, God is my salvation; I WILL TRUST, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." When he has read it, ask him what it is the prophet says, "I will try?" "No, I will trust." Another verse which can also be used to show that it is not trying to be a Christian, but believing on Christ that saves, is Acts 16:31: "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." John 1:12 is very useful. Before using it, you can say, "What God asks of you is not to try to be a Christian, or to try to live a better life, or to try to do anything but simply to receive Jesus Christ who did it all." Then have the passage read and say to the inquirer, "Will you now stop your trying, and simply receive Jesus as a Savior?" Make it very clear what this means and hold the inquirer to this point.
2. Another way of dealing with this class is to show the inquirer that it is NOT TRYING what we can do, BUT TRUSTING what Jesus has done that saves from guilt. Use for this purpose Romans 3:23-26: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just and THE JUSTIFIER OF HIM WHICH BELIEVETH IN JESUS." When the inquirer has read the passage, ask him if this teaches us that we are justified by trying to do something. "No." "Then how are we justified?" Hold him to it until he says, "Freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," and sees that it is on the simple condition of faith. Another very effective passage to use in the same way is Romans 4:3-5: "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, BUT BELIEVETH on him that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH is counted for righteousness." {99} This makes it clear as day that it is not our trying, but our believing on Him that justifies us. Acts 10:43 and 13:38 can be used in a similar way. 3. It is also well to show the inquirer that it is not our trying in our own strength, but our trusting in Christ's strength that saves from the power of sin. To make this clear, use the following passages: "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Jude 24. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh
the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1_John 5:4-5. "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2_Timothy 1:12. "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1_Peter 1:5. IV. "I FEEL SAVED", OR "I FEEL THAT I AM GOING TO HEAVEN" There are very many in this class, very many who think that their entrance into heaven is sure because they "feel saved," or feel that they are going to heaven. 1. The first thing to do with this class is to show them the utter unreliability of our feeling as a ground of hope. An excellent passage for this purpose is Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Follow this up with Proverbs 14:12: "There is a way WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." After reading the latter passage, you can say to the inquirer, "The way you are going seems to be right, it seems to you as if it would lead to heaven, but what does this passage tell us about a way that seemeth to be right unto a man?" "The end thereof are the ways of death." Then drive the thought home that it will not do to rest our hope upon anything less sure than the Word of God. Luke 18:9-14 may be used in this way. You can say, "We are told in the {100} Bible about a man who felt saved, and felt sure of going to heaven, let us read about him." Then let him read the story of the Pharisee, and show how he was not saved for all his selfconfidence. Isaiah 55:8 can also be used to enforce the thought that God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and while we may think we are saved, God may clearly see that we are not. 2. Having shown how little confidence is to be put in our feeling, show the true ground of hope, namely God's Word. Use for this purpose Titus 1:2: "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot
lie, promised before the world began." You can say, "Paul had a hope of eternal life. Upon what was that hope built?" "The Word of God 'that cannot lie.'" Then say to the person, "Do you want a hope built upon that sure ground?" Take him then to John 3:36. That verse tells clearly how to get such a hope. One afternoon I was speaking to a woman who a few weeks before had lost her only child. At the time of the child's death she had been especially interested, but her serious impressions had largely left her. After a time I put to her the question, "Do you not wish to go where your little one has gone?" She replied, "I expect to." "What makes you think that you will," I asked. She answered, "I feel so: I feel that I will go to heaven when I die." I then asked her if there was anything she could point to in the Word of God which gave her a reason for believing that she was going to heaven when she died. She replied that there was not. She then turned to me and began to question me: "Do you expect to go to heaven when you die?" "Yes, I know I shall." "How do you know it? Have you any word from God for it?" "Yes," I answered, and turned to John 3:36. She was then led to see the difference between a faith that depended upon her feeling, and a faith that depended upon the Word of God. V. THE HOPE OF BEING SAVED BY A MERE PROFESSION OF RELIGION, OR BY A FAITH THAT DOES NOT SAVE FROM SIN AND LEAD TO REPENTANCE. In many communities it is very common to meet men and women who believe they are saved because they hold to an orthodox creed, or because they have been baptized or made a profession {101} of religion. This is one of the most dangerous of all false hopes, but it can be readily dealt with. 1. A good passage to begin with is Titus 1:16: "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." You can say to the person, "You profess to know God, but God Himself tells us that many who profess to know Him are lost; let me show it to you in His Word." When they have read the verse, you can say, "Now if one professes to know God,
but denies Him in his life, what does God Himself say that such a one is?" "Abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." Another passage which can be used in very much the same way is Matthew 7:21-23. "NOT EVERY ONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." You might say, "God tells us plainly in His Word that one may make a profession of religion, may be active even in Christian work, and yet be lost after all." Then have him read the verses. When they are read, you can say, "According to these verses, will a mere profession of religion save any one?" "No, doing the will of the Father which is in heaven." "Are you doing His will?" 2. A second way of dealing with this class is to say, "God tells us plainly that in order to be saved we must be born again." Then show them John 3:3-5: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." When these verses are read, you can say, "Now these verses make it clear, that in order to enter the kingdom of God, one must be born again. Now let us turn to other parts of the Bible and see what it is to be born again." For this purpose use the following: {102} "Whosoever is born of God DOTH NOT COMMIT SIN, for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." 1_John 3:9. "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that EVERY ONE THAT DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS is born of