Rescue the Perishing

Assurance.
HOW you may KNOW you are saved.

You may know you are saved, because God says so in His Word.

THESE things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know (not hope, or guess) that ye have (not are going to have) eternal life.”

I John 5:13.

BUT as many as received Him (Christ) to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

John 1:12.

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.

II Timothy 1:12.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on Him that sent me HATH everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgment) but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24.

A great many people think it is presumption for them to say they know they are saved—that they can only “hope for the best, and will have to wait until the judgment before they know.” Paul did not say to the jailer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and perhaps you will be saved, or you will have a good chance of being saved, or you may hope to be saved.” No, but “thou shalt be saved.”

Acts 16:31.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me HATH everlasting life.

John 6:47.

He that believeth on the Son hath (not perhaps will have) everlasting life.

John 3:36.

HE that hath the Son hath life.

I John 5:12.

The Holy Spirit can not give you any happy feelings until you rest fully upon God’s Word.

If you have received God’s gift (Jesus), you have God’s word for it that you have life. The life is in His Son. Believe this and you will know it. Confess Jesus as your Savior and you will have the witness of the Spirit.

THE Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.

Romans 8:16.

HE that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness (record) in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

I John 5:10,11,12.

“Put that in black and white," says the merchant when a good offer is made to him. God has put his offer in black and white—“These things are written.” Read: I John 5:13.

Do you say, I don’t feel it? Feeling is not the evidence, or proof for you to trust. Your feelings may change like the wind, but God’s word never changes. He says: “Heaven and earth shall pass away but My words shall not pass away.”

Matthew 24:35.

Which would you rather trust, God’s unchanging Word, or your everchanging feelings? When God says a thing, it is so.

If you want this evidence you must believe God’s word. If you do not, you are making God a liar, and this will prevent the Spirit from working in you.

He that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life.

I John 5:10-11.

Illustration: Luke 1:10

Backslider.
God’s WARNING to the backslider

NOW the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Hebrews 10:38.

FOR it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

II Peter 2:21.

THEREFORE to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

James 4:17.

TAKE heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Hebrews 3:12.

I HAVE overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.

Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

Amos 4:11-12.

SO then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:16.

If you are cold and indifferent, and fallen into sin, you will never be truly happy, or have peace in your soul, until you confess your sins and return to the Lord, because God says,

THE backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways.

Proverbs 14:14.

God says though man’s ways are not His ways, (Isaiah 55:8) there is hope for the backslider—Think of the story of the Prodigal Son and how the Father welcomed his boy home!

BUT when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Luke 15:20.

Read the next page

Backslider.
How he MAY RETURN to the Lord.

1st. Submit to God. He will forgive.

GO and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord, Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you.

Jeremiah 3:12-14.

I WILL heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

Hosea 14:4.

2nd. Confess to God.

I ACKNOWLEDGED my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.

Psalms 32:5.

IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9.

3rd. Turn to God.

THEREFORE turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

Hosea 12:6.

IF thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

Job 22:23.

AND He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

I John 2:2

Some say they are backsliders, but are not, for they have never slid forward.

Baptism.
COMMANDED by God PRACTICED by Christ and others.

The Bible plainly teaches that every believer should confess Christ in baptism.

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 Ghost.

Matthew 28:19, R.V.

HE that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.

Mark 16:16, R.V.

AND Peter said up to them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins.

Acts 2:38, R.V.

AND there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem and were baptized of him, in the river of Jordan confessing their sins.

Mark 1:5.

JESUS was baptized.

THEN cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. . . . And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him.

Matthew 3:13, 16.

PAUL was baptized.

AND immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Acts 9:18.

The EUNUCH was baptized.

THE eunuch said, See, here is water: what doth hinder me to be baptized? . . . And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Acts 8:36, 38.

The JAILOR was baptized.

AND he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Acts 16:33.

Baptism.
It FOLLOWS salvation. Baptized, because SAVED

There are two extremes taken by people in the matter of baptism, one is to reject it entirely, and the other is to magnify it beyond it’s proper significance, and make it necessary to salvation.

We are to be baptized, not to help save ourselves, but, because Christ has already saved us through our acceptance of His sacrifice on the cross. We go forward in baptism in obedience to God’s command, thus openly confessing Him before the world by this act. Our baptism will avail us nothing, unless our heart is right toward God.

Philip told the Eunuch that he could be baptized if he believed with all his heart.

AND Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest.

Acts 8:37.

A performance of ceremonies God hates, unless there is behind them, true repentance for sin.

YOUR new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

Isaiah 1:14.

TWO men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee, stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are. . . . I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.

Luke 18:10-14.

The Pharisee was thinking to justify himself before God by his prayers, gifts and keeping of holy days but the the publican with repentance, and the believing cry of the sinner, was saved.

Let us not neglect baptism; neither think because we have been baptized that we are safe. Trust Christ alone for salvation; then be baptized.

Business.
I will be HINDERED in making money.

What profit is there to YOU, even if you get money—pleasure—position or power— and in a few short years (at longest) you lose your soul?

If you cannot remain in your present business and be a Christian, you had better give it up.

FOR what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:36-37.

BUT seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33.

LAY not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

Matthew 6:19-20.

HE that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver.

Ecclesiastes 5:10.

HE that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Proverbs 11:28.

THEN said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.

FOR whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 16:24-25.

AND Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Mark 10:29-30.

Christian Living.
Those TRYING to be Christians.

We are not saved by trying, but by trusting in what Christ has done for us.

This means:

Repentance.

LET the wicked forsake his way (that’s your part), and the unrighteous man his thoughts (that’s your part): and let him return unto the Lord (that’s your part), and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon (God’s part.).

Isaiah 55:7

Faith.

FOR by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8—9.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him (God) that sent Me (Christ), hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life.

John 5:24. A.V. & R.V.

Receiving.

BUT as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.

John 1:12.

Committing.

COMMIT thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalms 37:5.

IF thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10.

Christian Living.
STRENGTH for holding out.

BUT ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.

Acts 1:8.

BE strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:10.

PUT on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11.

WHEREFORE take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:13.

STAND therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

Ephesians 6:14.

ABOVE all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:16—17.

WATCH ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

I Corinthians 16:13.

BE strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9.

THE Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 27:1.

AND He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

II Corinthians 12:9.

I CAN do ALL THINGS through Christ which strenghteneth me.

Philippians 4:13.

Christian Living.
How to GROW In grace.

If you earnestly desire to grow in grace according to God's commands, covenant to do the following things daily; pray, study your Bible, confess Christ, try to lead souls to Christ, and seek the society of Christian people, and you will do so. Let us see what God says concerning these things, and their importance.

1st. Daily prayer.

PRAY without ceasing.

I Thessalonians 5:17.

WATCH ye therefore and pray always.

Luke 21:36.

MEN ought always to pray.

Luke 18:1.

I WILL therefore that men pray every where.

I Timothy 2:8.

CALL unto me and I will answer thee; and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Jeremiah 33:3.

2nd. Daily STUDY of God’s Word.

AND now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up.

Acts 20:32.

THESE were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 17:11.

STUDY to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

II Timothy 2:15.

AS newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

I Peter 2:2.

THY words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.

Jeremiah 15:16

Make this last verse your prayer.

OPEN thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Psalms 119:18

3rd. Daily CONFESS Christ.

LET your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16.

YE are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen.

Isaiah 43:10.

SING unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

Psalms 96:2.

WHOSOEVER therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 10:32—33.

4th. Daily SEEK OTHERS for Christ.

I HAVE chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit.

John 15:16.

HE that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.

John 14:12.

AND daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts 5:42.

WE then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

II Corinthians 6:1.

5th. Daily seek CHRISTIAN SOCIETY.

BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalms 1:1.

HE that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Proverbs 13:20.

Christian Living.
Results of Keeping CLOSE to CHRIST.

Some PROMISES to encourage us.

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.

Matthew 11:29—30.

BUT if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

I John 1:7.

DRAW nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

James 4:8.

CAST thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 55:22.

THOU wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3.

Christian Living.
Results FOLLOWING repentance and faith.

Through coming to Christ a man,

1st. Becomes a CHILD OF GOD.

BUT as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave he power to become the sons of God.

John 1:12.

2nd. Has Everlasting LIFE.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgment); but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24.

3rd. Receives the HOLY SPIRIT.

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.

4th. Has FELLOWSHIP with others.

THEN they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

AND they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:41—42.

5th. Has God’s PROMISES.

WHEREBY are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises.

II Peter 1:4.

6th. Is called to SERVICE.

FOR the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work.

Mark 13:34.

7th. Possesses HEAVEN.

IN my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:2

Church, The-
Must I JOIN to be a Christian?

Do not join the Church unless you are saved—If you are saved, you will want to join the church, and you can not live as useful a life out of the church as in it, and the church needs your help.

THEN they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:41.

AND they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:42.

AND they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.

Acts 2:46.

PRAISING God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added unto the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 2:47.

ONE shall say, I am the Lord’s; . . . and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord.

Isaiah 44:5.

NOT forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25.

The Church is the best institution on earth, because established by Christ— When you fight the church, you are striking at Jesus Christ, as the church is His bride.

THEY shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten.

Jeremiah 50:5.

Confession.
Confusing Christ PUBLICLY.

Confess Christ, or He will deny us.

WHOSOEVER therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 10:32-33

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.

Mark 8:38.

THAT if thou shalt confess with thy mouth (not your influence) the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:9.

ALSO I say unto you, whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

Luke 12:8-9.

We should confess Christ, not only to honor Him, but because of the influence we may have on others.

ONE of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew Simon Peter’s brother.

He first findeth his own brother Simon and saith unto him, we have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ, and he brought him to Jesus.

John 1:40—42.

NEVERTHELESS among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

John 12:42—43.

Illustration: Mark 5:15-20

Consecration.

I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1.

“Consecration means to be willing to be anything, or nothing, to go anywhere, or everywhere, at any time or at all times for God.”

LET us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

LOOKING unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2.

WHETHER therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

I Corinthians 10:31.

AND whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

Colossians 3:17.

Dear Savior, help me every day

To live more nearly as I pray;

I would walk daily by thy side,

And trust in thee whate’er betide.

 

Help me to live so near to thee

Thy likeness may be seen in me;

Make me so gentle, kind and true

That I will do as thou wouldst do.

 

To win some precious souls for thee.

My errand here on earth would be;

And every day till thou shalt come

To do some good, to help some one.

Frequently ask your heart if you are doing the will of God.

Accustom yourself to do everything in the name of Jesus Christ, as His disciple.

See that every day shall be marked by at least one special work of love.

Wherever you go, inwardly pray that you do no evil, but be the means of some good.

Christ.
His Deity.

One of the proofs that Christ is the Son of God, is the fact that we have several titles applied to Christ in the New Testament that are applied to Jehovah in the Old Testament.

THE word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all).

Acts 10:36.

BUT we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

I Corinthians 2:7—8.

AND Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. . . . 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.

John 20:28-29, 31.

WHOSOEVER believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. . . . Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

I John 5:1, 5.

WHO is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is anti-christ, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

I John 2:22-23.

Christian Science.
Its NON-CHRISTIAN character.

“Christian Science" is nothing new. It is a mixture of exploded theories and issues of the ancient world. Moreover, it is neither "Christian" nor “Science” for both the personality of Christ and matter are denied, and there could he no Christ without personality nor science without matter. This unscientific cult is not only not Christian but it denies many truths of the Bible.

1st. A personal God.

The second article in the platform of Christian Science says, “God is mind. He is divine principle, not person,” “He and the universe are the same," or “He is the ‘substance’ and the universe and man are ‘manifestations.’ ”

The Christian says:

OUR Father which art in heaven.

Matthew 6:9.

2nd. Christ and His Atonement.

Though they sometimes speak of Christ as a great metaphysician, they maintain that there is no real body, and if no body, then no suffering—therefore Christ did not suffer on the cross.

3rd. Sin.

The belief that you have no real body enables you to dispose of the question of sin. If the body is only a phantom then sin would only be the phantom of a phantom; an easy way for a sinner to relieve himself of personal responsibility to God.

4th. A personal devil.

Mrs. Eddy says, “A lie is all the devil there is.” Vol. 2, Page 85. See scripture pages 104

and 118.

5th. The reality of prayer.

They have something that corresponds to prayer, but their text-book says, “Prayer to a personal God is an hindrance."

The following are a few of the many scriptures which have reference to the folly of such heresies:

HEREBY know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.

I John 4:2.

Christian Science.
God warns AGAINST It.

AND every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is in the world.

I John 4:3.

FOR he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

II Corinthians 5:21.

FOR many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

II John 1:7.

WHO his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

I Peter 2:24.

AND almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Hebrews 9:22.

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.

Matthew 7:22-23.

FOR the mystery of iniquity doth already work; only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

II Thessalonians 2:7-8.

AND no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

II Corinthians 11:14.

Conversions.
Instantaneous. Bible EXAMPLES.

God says you can be saved AT ONCE.

LOOK unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:22.

The Jailer believed, and was saved the SAME NIGHT.

AND they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

Acts 16:31-32.

The thief believed and was saved the same day.

AND he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Luke 23:42-43.

The woman believed and was saved the same hour.

AND he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Luke 7:48-50.

God wants you to turn from your sins.

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.

Jesus will forgive your sins and save if you will ask and obey.

HE . . . that believeth, hath (not will have) everlasting life.

John 5:24.

HIM that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:37.

Doubter.
One who is HONEST.

“HOW MAY I KNOW THERE IS A GOD?"

AND the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.

John 1:14.

NO man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared him.

John 1:18.

JESUS saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed, blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.

John 20:29.

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.

John 20:31.

IF any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

John 7:17.

HE that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

John 8:47.

THEN saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou being a Jew askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealing with the Samaritans.

John 4:9.

BELIEVEST thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself, but the Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works.

John 14:10.

BELIEVE me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

John 14:11.

AND whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:13.

Excuses.
I am a MEMBER of the church.

Church membership alone does not save any one. Jesus made this act very plain that there must be more than a cold profession of religion.

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.

Matthew 7:21.

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.

Matthew 7:22-23.

THEREFORE whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Matthew 7:24-27.

The great question is, Have I been born of God, and am I showing by my life that I am a child of God?

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.

John 3:3.

Excuses.
I am GOOD ENOUGH.

You may think you are, but God does not.

He says you are a sinner!

FOR all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23.

AS it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:10.

FOR there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Ecclesiastes 7:20.

ALL we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6.

AND he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 18:9-14.

Not only would God show you that you are a sinner, but He would warn you of the consequences of sin, and the judgement that follows.

THE wages of sin is death.

Romans 6:23.

THE soul that sinneth it shall die.

Ezekiel 18:4

BE sure your sin will find you out.

Numbers 32:23.

Excuses.
I am NOT very bad.

THERE is no difference: For all have sinned.

Romans 3:22-23.

THEY are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalms 14:3.

THERE IS not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Ecclesiastes 7:20.

FOR as many as are of the work 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.

Galatians 3:10.

Let me ask you, have you kept all of God’s law? You say, “no, of course not; no one has.” Very good; your admitting that you have failed convicts you, for we read.

WHOSOEVER shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

James 2:10.

Break one link in your chain, and your anchor goes to the bottom as quickly as it would if ten links were broken. Break one of God’s Commandments, and you are under the curse of a broken law as truly as you would be if you broke all of them. While there are degrees of sin, there is no difference as to the fact of guilt before God.

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.

Do you keep God's greatest Commandment?

THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Matthew 22:37-38.

BUT the Scripture hath concluded all under sin.

Galatians 3:22.

Illustration: Luke 18:10-14.

Excuses.
I am NOT GOOD ENOUGH to be a Christian.

Jesus came to save sinners, and not the righteous!

BUT when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 9:12-13.

NOT by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Titus 3:5.

LET the wicked forsake his way (that’s your part), and the unrighteous man his thoughts (that’s your part): and let him return unto the Lord (that’s your part), and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (God’s part.)

Isaiah 55:7.

FOR the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luke 19:10.

COME now and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18.

THIS is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am the chief.

I Timothy 1:15.

IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

I John 1:9.

ALL that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:37.

Read: Mark 2:17; Ephesians 2:8, 9.

Illustration, Mark 5:25-34.

Excuses.
I am TOO GREAT a sinner.

It is refreshing to find one who feels that he is a great sinner, as most people have a very good opinion of themselves. When one sees his or her sins, and cries to God, he or she has every assurance that there is forgiveness.

THIS is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

I Timothy 1:15.

FOR the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.

Luke 19:10.

The fact that you are a sinner assures you that you may be saved, because Christ came to save sinners; and if you confess and forsake sin you have God’s Word for it that you are forgiven.

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.

HE that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Proverbs 28:13.

FOR whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13.

WHOSOEVER will, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:17.

“Whosoever means any one, and you too."

HIM that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:37.

Here is the plain promise that “if you come”, you will not be “cast out.” Will you come?

WHEREFORE He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.

Hebrews 7:25.

If you are among the “uttermost” ones, come now and rejoice in a full salvation.

Illustration: John 4:7-30.

Excuses.
Not now.

COME; for all things are now ready.

Luke 14:17.

TODAY if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Hebrews 3:15.

SEEK ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.

Isaiah 55:6.

BEHOLD, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

II Corinthians 6:2.

BOAST not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1.

GO to now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell.

James 4:13.

This may be your last opportunity.

I WILL say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.

Luke 12:19-20.

WHAT are you waiting for? To better yourself? This will be a waste of time, as we have learned that your trying and doing and working, will not even help to save you, but hinder you. Do you say, ‘there is time enough?’ How do you know it? God says:

MY spirit shall not always strive with man.

Genesis 6:3.

PREPARE to meet thy God.

Amos 4:12.

THEREFORE be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 24:44.

WATCH therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:13.

Illustration: Acts 24:24-27.

Excuses.
There are Church members NO BETTER THAN I!

That may be, but you can not save your soul by finding some church member who is failing to live as he or she ought to live. The more you look at them, the more you are apt to be like them, and if they are lost, and you are not saved, you both will perish together.

THEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgments of God?

Romans 2:1-3.

JUDGE not, that ye not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:1-5.

SO then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.

Romans 14:12.

Account of “himself”, not his neighbor.

FOR we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

II Corinthians 5:10.

You had better save your own soul, and try to help others than criticise them. If you know how, they ought to like, be a Christian and show them how the counterfeit christian proves the genuine, just and the counterfeit dollar proves the genuine.

You may as well argue “Don’t deposit money in a bank, there are men in the banking business that have embezzled. Don’t join the lodge or trades unions." There are hypocrites in every lodge and union in America. There are hypocrites everywhere.

Remember—When the Church goes through the Pearly Gates, those hyporites will be left on the outside of the gate, on your side, unless you repent, and you will have to spend all eternity with them. Would it not be better to repent, and live with them a few years in the Church, than to spend all eternity with them elsewhere? You must spend some time with those hypocrites, somewhere. Where shall it be?

SO then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:12.

FOR it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Romans 14:11.

AND whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15.

Take Christ as Your Saviour, a perfect example, and do not lose your soul through looking at inconsistent christians.

HE that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:16.

FOR by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8, 9.

Illustration: John 21:19-22.

Excuses.
My companions, Keep me from Christ.

Great blessing awaits those who will turn from bad associates, but the curse of God is upon those who refuse to do so—Read for yourself and see—

BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalms 1:1.

HE that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Proverbs 13:20.

ENTER not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Proverbs 4:14—15.

MY son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: . . . Cast in thy lot among us, let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path.

Proverbs 1:10—12, 14—15.

YE adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?

James 4:4.

BE ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness!

II Corinthians 6:14.

By the help of God you can cut loose from the old crowd, and live a clean life—Begin now.

WHEREFORE come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.

II Corinthians 6:17.

Read: Proverbs 29:25; Mark 8:38; Matthew 5:11,12.

Excuses.
I can not give up my EVIL WAYS!

If you seek to know the Lord and trust In Him, He will give you power to overcome your evil ways. He has done this for others, why not for you?”

I CAN do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13.

IF the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 8:36.

AND Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Matthew 28:18.

Christ came with power from heaven for you, if you will appropriate it—

THERE hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I Corinthians 10:13.

This verse shows that your temptations are “common” to men, and not peculiar to you, and you have no harder fight than others.

WHEREFORE he is able also to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25.

As you think on your evil ways, think of what God says concerning the life of sin, and be warned by it.

BE not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:7.

FOR he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Galatians 6:8.

FOR the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23.

Read: Revelation 21:8; I Corinthians 15:1-4.

Excuses.
There is TOO MUCH to give up.

Is it because of your business, and a desire to make money, that you are unwilling to accept Christ? If so, listen to the question God puts to you!

FOR what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Mark 8:36.

God only asks you to give up that which is not for your own good?

FOR the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psalms 84:11.

God gave up his son to die for your sins, and will now supply all your needs.

HE that spared not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32.

Take Christ, attend to the most important things first and the less important will be provided later.

BUT seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33.

By giving up worldly things, you will receive manifold more in return in spiritual blessing.

AND he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Luke 18:29-30.

FOR he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Galatians 6:8.

Jesus said, “Ye can not serve two masters," (Matthew 6:24) but you will serve one,—Christ or the Devil, which shall it be? The Devil pays, “the wages of death,” (Romans 6:23) but Christ gives eternal life.

Illustration: Matthew 19:16-22.

Excuses.
I CAN NOT surrender all.

Some think it means too much sacrifice.

FOR whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

Mark 8:35.

AND Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake, and the gospel’s; but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

Mark 10:29-30.

Can you not give up some thing for Christ, who has done so much for you?

FOR ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

II Corinthians 8:9.

Paul gave up all for Christ.

BUT what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Philippians 3:7.

If we follow Christ, as we should, we will be called to make some sacrifice.

SO likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33.

We are strengthened however in our suffering when we recall the promise.

IF we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.

II Timothy 2:12.

Excuses.
The christian life Is TOO HARD.

Some say that the Christian life is hard, but they are mistaken about this; they may have tried to reform in their own strength, but they know nothing about the power of the Spirit in their souls to save, keep and deliver them—

FOR this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.

I John 5:3.

HER ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Proverbs 3:17.

THOU wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalms 16:11.

FOR the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will be withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psalms 84:11.

It is the sinful, and rebellious life that is hard.

There are certain worldly pleasures that please the carnal heart for a few moments, but these are like the foam on the “soda water” that passes quickly, they do not give true satisfaction.

GOOD understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.

Proverbs 13:15.

BUT the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

Isaiah 57:20.

THERE is no peace, saith my God, unto the wicked.

Isaiah 57:21.

REJOICE, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

Ecclesiastes 11:9.

Read: II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Luke 16:19-31.

Excuses.
I have tried and FAILED.

You say you have tried and failed!

Was it God’s fault, or your own?

Let us call your attention to a few things it done by you, will assure you success in the Christian life—

1st. Seek the Lord with ALL YOUR HEART.

AND ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13.

2nd. You must OBEY GOD.

IF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.

Isaiah 1:19.

AND we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.

Acts 5:32.

3rd. You must CONFESS Christ.

THAT if thou shalt confess with thy mouth (not your influence) the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10.

4th. You must PRAY.

YE have not, because ye ask not.

James 4:2.

FOR whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13.

FOR the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.

I Peter 3:12.

5th. JOIN the church!

If you have not joined the church, you ought to do so.

ONE shall say, I am the Lord’s; . . . and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord.

Isaiah 44:5.

Excuses.
I have TRIED and FAILED.

You say you have tried and failed!

May I ask you a few questions?

When you began the Christian life, did you:

1st. Trust Christ’s FINISHED WORK alone?

WHO his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

I Peter 2:24.

2nd. Did you SURRENDER all to God? God is demanding this.

MY son give me thine heart.

Proverbs 23:26.

3rd. Did you CONFESS CHRIST publicly?

WHOSOEVER therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 10:32-33.

4th. Did you PRAY constantly?

PRAY without ceasing.

I Thessalonians 5:17.

5th. Did you faithfully STUDY YOUR BIBLE? Have you read it today?

AS newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

I Peter 2:2.

6th. Did you shun EVIL COMPANIONS?

BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalm 1:1.

7th. Did you GO TO WORK for Christ?

AND to every man his work.

Mark 13:34.

Excuses.
Can’t HOLD OUT! God’s KEEPING power.

Of course you cannot in your own strength. But He is mighty to save. Put your trust for pardon in the finished work of Christ and let Him come into your life.

WHO are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I Peter 1:5.

BUT the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

II Thessalonians 3:3.

NOW unto him that is able to keep you from falling (R.V. from stumbling), and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

Jude 1:24.

BEING confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6.

FEAR thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strenghten thee; yea I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 41:10,13.

When you are tempted remember that Christ has promised to deliver you.

THERE hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will WITH THE TEMPTATION ALSO MAKE A WAY OF ESCAPE, that ye may be able to bear it.

I Corinthians 10:13.

THE Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.

II Peter 2:9.

AND I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 10:28

MY Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

John 10:29.

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.

II Timothy 1:12.

HE giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31.

NOW unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Ephesians 3:20.

WHEREFORE he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25.

God never gives grace in advance, but He does promise “as thy day thy strength shall be.”

WHEN thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isaiah 43:2.

Excuses.
I have no FEELING.

The word "feeling" occurs but once in the Bible in connection with salvation, and then it is used in connection with the man “Who is past feeling," but faith in Christ is mentioned three hundred times. Conviction is one thing and emotion is another. The latter does not necessarily follow the former. Our feelings are like the weather, they may change daily; but God’s word, in which we trust, will never change.

Which would you rather trust? God’s unchanging word, or your ever-changing feelings?

You know you are a sinner and lost. What you need is Jesus Christ. Look to Him; accept Him; trust Him; confess Him; and He will do the rest. Take the blesser and you will have the blessing.

BUT as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.

John 1:12.

See! you are to receive a personal Saviour, not work up some special feeling.

If you are waiting for the feeling that an earnest working Christian has, we would have you note, that feeling is the “fruit,” not the “root” of salvation. A feeling of joy, peace, and rest comes, because we “trust” in Christ, “confess” Him as our Savior, “defend” His cause, and try to “obey” Him.

AND we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath glven to them that obey Him.

Acts 5:32.

It is to those that “obey Him” that the blessing is given—Repentance is doing what God commands you to do, whether you feel like doing it or not, and the feeling follows as you seek to do God’s will -—

BUT the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.

Galatians 5:22.

Never be guided by the experiences of some one else, but by God’s Word.

The Devil’s order is: 1st, Feeling; 2nd, Faith; 3rd, Fact; but God’s order is: 1st, Fact; 2nd, Faith; then Feeling.

“The Fact you’re a sinner, you cannot but see,

That Faith in Christ saves you, is ever our plea;

The feeling will follow in service and love;

Then take from Christ Jesus His gift from above.”

AND they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 16:31.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word and believeth on Him that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into condemnation (judgment); but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24.

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.

John 20:31.

Some are making more of their feelings than they are of the Word of the Lord.

Feelings are as changeable as the wind. You get up many a cold morning when you don’t feel like it. Religion with the Christian is obedience; and the highway leading to the life “hid with Christ in God” is known as obedience, not feeling.

If I should puncture your arm with a needle and you should be unable to feel it, your anxiety would be intense, your condition physically would be regarded as very precarious indeed. When I come to talk to you, of your soul’s salvation, and you say you have no feeling, it shows the peril of your position.

Your very indifference ought to arouse you to thoughtfulness and action-—

Illustration: Matthew 9:9.

Excuses.
I am not CONCERNED.

If a man were asleep in a burning building, he would be more in danger of losing his life, than he would be if he were awake.

So, there is more danger of a man losing his soul, if he is unconcerned, than there would be if he had some interest. God calls you to wake up and think about these things—

WHEREFORE he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Ephesians 5:14.

I TELL you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke 13:3.

AND as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

Hebrews 9:27.

AND ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

John 5:40.

It you are lost, it will be your fault.

These Scriptures teach that you will not come to Christ and that you prefer darkness to light, and unbelief to faith, and will not turn to God and be baptized that you may have eternal life in Jesus Christ.

HE that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:16.

AND these shall go away into everlasting punishment.

Matthew 25:46.

You go away, God does not send you—

THE wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Psalms 9:17.

You in your indifference are “forgetting” God, not necessarily living a wicked life—

HOW shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?

Hebrews 2:3.

Read: II Thessalonians 1:1-9.

Illustration: Luke 16:19-31.

Excuses.
The INDIFFERENT neglecting his soul.

Listen to what God says to the indifferent.

His word ought to lead you to the most thoughtful consideration of His ways.

AWAKE thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead.

Ephesians 5:14.

Your indifference has put you to sleep and God calls you to awake.

TURN ye, . . . turn ye for why will ye die?

Ezekiel 33:11.

THE soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Ezekiel 18:4.

THE wages of sin is death.

Romans 6:23.

EXCEPT ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke 13:3.

HOW shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?

Hebrews 2:3.

BE not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:7.

HE that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 3:36.

HE that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:16.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

John 10:1.

BE sure your sin will find you out.

Numbers 32:23.

AND the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man.

Genesis 6:3.

Read: Psalms 9:17; Psalms 11:6; Revelation 2:8.

Excuses.
Those who KNOW NOT the way.

God has made very clear in His word, the fact that He loves us and gave Jesus to be the way.

JESUS saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6.

God wants us to forsake our way, which is the wrong way.

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.

God has promised to hear us when we call.

THEN shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:12-13.

More, He has promised to accept us if we turn to him with true repentance.

ALL that the Father giveth me shall come to me: and him that cometh to I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:37.

Believe. His promise and know the way.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 6:47.

TO him gave all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 10:43.

IF any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

John 7:17.

THAT if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:9.

Excuses.
I don’t know WHAT or HOW to believe.

Study to know God’s will and do it, Christ-like, holy in living and humble in service.

IF any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.

John 7:17.

You are to SEEK!

AND ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13.

To LOOK.

LOOK unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:22.

To CALL.

FOR whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13.

To BELIEVE.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24.

To Receive.

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.

To Taste.

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.

Psalms 34:8.

To Submit.

THEREFORE to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

James 4:17.

You are to COME.

COME unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28.

To COMMIT.

FOR the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

II Timothy 1:12.

To TAKE.

AND the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come....And whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:17.

To CONFESS.

THAT if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10.

To Be ACQUAINTED.

ACQUAINT now thyself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee.

Job 22:21.

To FOLLOW.

THEN shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain . . . unto the earth.

Hosea 6:3.

HE that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12.

MY sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27.

Excuses.
I can’t understand the Bible.

WHY can’t you? Because the carnal mind can not understand divine truth without the Spirit’s teaching.

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.

I Corinthians 2:14.

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.

Daniel 12:10.

Do God’s will, and you can understand.

IF any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

John 7:17.

You ask, How may I KNOW?

1st. Pray.

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.

James 1:5.

OPEN thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Psalms 119:18.

THAT which I see not teach thou me.

Job 34:32.

2nd. Study your Bible.

SEARCH the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 5:39.

FOR my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your 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.

Isaiah 55:8-9.

THEN shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.

Hosea 6:3.

Excuses.
I can't see my way CLEAR.

Listen to what God says in His Word and seek to follow divine instruction, and you will see.

THEN spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12.

TRUST in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7.

IF the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 8:36.

AND I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

Isaiah 42:16.

AND this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

John 3:19.

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.

I Corinthians 2:14.

BUT as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

I Corinthians 2:9-10.

Illustration: Mark 9:20-29.

Excuses.
My heart is TOO HARD.

If you have a hard heart, that is just why you ought to come to Christ because the Lord wants to give you a new heart.

A NEW heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

AND I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Ezekiel 36:26-27.

AND I will give them one heart, and will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 11:19.

IS not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Jeremiah 23:29.

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.

In this verse we find three things we must do.

1st. “Let the wicked forsake his way”

——(your part.)

2nd. “The unrighteous man his thought.”

-—(your part.)

3rd. “Let him return unto the Lord”

—-your part.)

Then God will do two things, His part

1st “He will have mercy upon him"—you!

2nd "He will abundantly pardon”—you!

COME now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18.

HIM that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:37.

Excuses.
I am TOO YOUNG.

IT is strange how any boy or girl should feel he or she is too young to trust in the Saviour, when there is so much in the Bible to encourage the children to come.

BUT Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:14.

REMEMBER now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.

Ecclesiastes 12:1.

I LOVE them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Proverbs 8:17.

VERILY I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3.

AND when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

Luke 2:42.

Here we read of Christ taking an active part in service for His heavenly Father when only twelve.

AND that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

II Timothy 3:15

Here Paul says that Timothy when only a child knew the way of life from the Scriptures.

BUT seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33.

Seek the Kingdom “first,” not after a part of your life has been spent.

BEHOLD now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

II Corinthians 6:2.

Who will say, that an intelligent boy or girl reading this verse will not understand it?

Excuses.
I believe EVERY ONE will be SAVED.

If you read your Bible carefully, you will find there are some who will not be saved! Many of the parables teach this.

THEN said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:13.

ENTER ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:13-14.

Here is a list of some who will not he saved.

Are you included in this list?

KNOW ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

I Corinthians 6:9-10.

BUT the fearful, and unbelieving and the abominable, and murderers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.

Revelation 21:8.

FOR without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Revelation 22:15.

THE wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Psalms 9:17.

Illustration: Luke 16:19-31.

Excuses.
It IS TOO LATE for me to be saved.

There is not the slightest doubt but that Jesus will forgive our sins, save and keep you, it you will turn to him sincerely.

ALL that the Father giveth me shall come to me: and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:37.

Under no circumstances will the Lord cast out a sincerely seeking soul.

FOR whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13.

THE Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

II Peter 3:9.

COME now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18.

Here the Lord is reasoning with us about the worst of our sins.

AND even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Isaiah 46:4.

Here the promise reaches on to old age.

AND about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

Matthew 20:6.

Here the promise avails at the eleventh hour of life.

AND the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:17.

Heed this invitation and come now.

Illustration: John 4:7-30.

Excuses.
DON’T TALK to me, or I will leave.

If any one speaks to you, it is because they are interested in you and want to help you.

They are trying to obey Gods command.

AND thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear; for they are most rebellious.

Ezekiel 2:7.

THOU therefore gird up thy loins, and arise and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

Jeremiah 1:17.

See the punishment that awaits the unfaithful Christian.

WHEN I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ezekiel 3:18-19.

If a Christian has enough interest in your soul to speak to you, you surely ought to have some interest in the salvation of your own soul.

Listen to God’s warning!

FOR the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23.

THE wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Psalms 9:17.

BOAST not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1.

HE, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Proverbs 29:1.

Read: II Thessalonians 1:7-8.

Formalists.
One who trusts in FORMS and CEREMONIES.

All of the following verses show plainly that we are not saved, by “forms” or "ceremonies" but by “receiving and believing Christ as a personal Saviour”. Notice how each verse plainly states this.

Forms come after true faith.

BUT as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

John 1:12.

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.

John 3:16.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24.

HE that hath the Son HATH LIFE; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

I John 5:12.

THAT if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou SHALT BE SAVED.

Romans 10:9.

FOR with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:10.

Belief must be of the heart as well as head.

AND this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

I John 5:11.

EXAMINE yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.

II Corinthians 13:5.

AND this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John 17:3.

Giving.
(Systematically) ONE TENTH of your income.

God commands one tenth.

WILL a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me; But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

YE are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

BRING ye all the tithes in the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Malachi 3:8-10.

Who shall give?

EVERY man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.

Deuteronomy 16:17.

How much to give?

AND of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Genesis 28:22.

The spirit with which to give.

EVERY man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

II Corinthians 9:7.

The time to give.

UPON the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.

I Corinthians 16:2.

Does it pay to give one tenth?

HONOUR the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Proverbs 3:9-10.

God returns 100 per cent.

GIVE and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.

Luke 6:38.

Hell.
God In UNJUST AND CRUEL to damn any one.

Do you the creature, presume to criticize the Creator?

SHALL he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Job 40:2.

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?

Romans 9:20.

God has done all that a just God can do to provide man with salvation.

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?

Ezekiel 33:11.

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.

II Peter 3:9

FOR God so loved the world, (me) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16.

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!

Romans 11:33.

If you are lost at last, it will be because you would not turn from your sins and receive Christ. Listen to His warning!

BE not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Galatians 6:7-8.

God damns no one, man damns himself.

Hell.
A real PLACE.

The word “hell” appears in the authorized version of the Bible 53 times. In the “revised version” the word is translated “hades" 11 times out of the 53.

If there is a "heaven" for the saved, sure there must be a “hell” for the lost. The Bible speaks as clearly about one place as the other.

The Scriptures show hell a real place.

THE wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God.

Psalms 9:17.

AND in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in (a summer resort? No.) torments. . .

And he cried and said, . . . send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.

But Abraham said, son, remember. . . between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence.

Luke 16:23-26.

THE Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:41-42.

AND whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15.

AND I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Revelation 20:1.

BUT thou, O God, shall bring them down into the pit of destruction.

Psalms 55:23.

All the expressions, “hell”, "furnace of fire,” “lake of fire,” “bottomless pit” and “pit of destruction" suggest a “place.”

Hell.
CONDITION of the lost.

BUT the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 8:12.

AND shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 24:51.

WHOSE fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

Luke 3:17.

AND the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire, and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:10.

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15.

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.

John 3:18.

Men are condemned because of unbelief in Christ, and yet they say “no matter what you believe,” if you are only sincere.

BUT the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 21:8.

What words are all these? what a condition to be in throughout all eternity!

There is no ending to eternity.

HE that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:16.

HOW shall we escape if we neglect?

Hebrews 2:3.

WHO among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

Isaiah 33:14.

AND these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Matthew 25:46.

WIDE is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.

Matthew 7:13-14.

WHERE their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Mark 9:48.

WOE unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Matthew 23:15.

I ALSO will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

Proverbs 1:26-27.

THEN shall he say to them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 25:41.

AND many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Daniel 12:2.

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?

Hebrews 10:28-29.

Holiness.
Christ with In you SANCTIFYING the life.

LET your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16.

LIKEWISE reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:11.

LET not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Romans 6:12.

NEITHER yield ye your members instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Romans 6:13.

FOR sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law but under grace.

Romans 6:14.

AND this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.

Philippians 1:9.

BEING filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:11.

WHATSOEVER things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8.

ABSTAIN from all appearance of evil.

I Thessalonians 5:22.

THAT ye may walk honestly toward them that are without.

I Thessalonians 4:12.

Holy Spirit.
His WORK among men.

He draws.

NO man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:44.

He convicts.

AND when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me.

John 16:8-9.

He Regenerates.

NOT by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Titus 3:5.

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.

John 3:5.

He teaches.

HOWBEIT when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

John 16:13.

He baptizes.

NOW when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:14-17.

He gives power for service.

BUT ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:8.

He guides us.

AND the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. . . . Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

Acts 8:26, 29.

THEN Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, . . . Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:8, 13.

Conditions of receiving the Spirit.

Obeying.

AND we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Acts 5:32.

Asking.

IF ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.

Luke 11:13

Receiving.

THEREFORE I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mark 11:24.

Hypocrites.
Too many IN THE CHURCH.

One usually finds that the person who sees the short comings in others, before he sees his own, is the real hypocrite.

The word of God contains some very plain language addressed to this class and they will do well to read it.

SO then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God.

Romans 14:12.

THEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. . . . And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

Romans 2:1, 3.

BUT why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:10-12.

JUDGE not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:1-5.

If you are hiding behind a hypocrite you must be smaller than the person behind whom you hide.

Even though there may be hypocrites in the church, that does not excuse you. There are hypocrites in every other profession, but this is no argument against the profession; nor is it any argument against Christ, because a hypocrite is discovered in the church. You will not have to answer for the sins of the hypocrite at the judgment but for your own.

BUT woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Matthew 23:13.

YE serpents, ye generations of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Matthew 23:33.

Read the 23rd Chapter of Matthew, and see how Christ condemned the self-righteous critical crowd who watched the people turning to Christ.

He gave them a story that shows how he judges the two classes. Here it is, read it!

TWO men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are. . . . I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.

Luke 18:10-14.

Note— One thing is certain, though hypocrites may be in the church here on earth, they will not enter heaven. If you do not want to spend eternity in hell with them, you had better become a Christian now.

Illustration: John 21:19-23

Love.
For your NEIGHBOR.

A NEW commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:34.

BY this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:35.

BUT as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

I Thessalonians 4:9.

BE kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.

Romans 12:10.

SEEING you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.

I Peter 1:22.

HE that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.

I John 2:10.

BELOVED, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

I John 4:7.

HE that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

I John 4:8.

BELOVED, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

I John 4:11.

OWE no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8.

FOR all law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Galatians 5:14.

LET brotherly love continue.

Hebrews 13:1.

Moralist.
Who trusts in his SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

He who trusts in his own righteousness, trusts in a poor thing, God compares it to “filthy rags.”

BUT we are all an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Isaiah 64:6.

Because our righteousness in the sight of God, is no good. He has given us a righteousness in Christ; but we, like the Jews, are trying to establish our own, instead of finding it in Jesus.

FOR they being ignorant of God’s rightness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

FOR Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Romans 10:3-4.

Many say, “I am doing the best I can,” and yet they are not, for if they were, they would accept Christ, for this righteousness is obtained by faith in Him.

EVEN the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.

Romans 3:22.

JESUS saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6.

We can approach God only in Christ.

NEITHER is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 4:12.

Again, because our righteousness is of such a poor brand, Jesus declared we must be “born again” so that we can have a nature that will produce something better.

EXCEPT a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:3.

Moralist.
Who trusts In his GOOD WORKS to save.

If the Scriptures make any thing plain, it is that man can not save himself but must accept his salvation as a gift.

FOR by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9.

WHO hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace.

II Timothy 1:9.

NOT by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Titus 3:5.

VERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

John 10:1.

Jesus Christ is the door as the next verse shows and he who tries to save himself in any other way is called a “thief” and a “robber.”

I AM the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 10:9.

JESUS said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

Matthew 22:37-38.

Are you loving God with all your heart! If you were, you would trust Him.

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.

Are you an abomination in the sight of God because of what you do in your effort to save yourself!

See: Luke 18:10-14.

Personal Work.
Its Great IMPORTANCE.

THE importance of personal work we cannot over estimate. It is the method used by Jesus in His dealing with Nicodemus (John 3rd. Chap.), The Woman at the Well (John 4th chap.), The Man at the Pool (John 5th Chap. 18-19.). It was the method used by the Apostles and the early church. It is the work needed now if many souls are to be reached.

THIS is an age of heart-to-heart methods, woman to woman and man to man, reaching people in every line. The vast army of traveling salesmen used by business houses, illustrates this method while the wonderful agency system developed by the life insurance companies is a splendid example of success coming from personal work and personal contact.

THE Holy Spirit will convict men and women of sin, but he needs human help in reaching human hearts and inducing them to act after they are convicted. Most people whom you and I know are already convicted and convinced that they should be Christians. The great difficulty is to get them to do it now and this is your part.

IN this day of such great activity and “strenuous” living there are so many new things, as well as old, continually coming up that prevent people from desiring or even thinking of spiritual life. Never was it more true that we must go out into the highways and compel them to come in. In revivals too much is left to “general results,” until the "old general” is sadly overworked. The motto of that wonderful and effective organization of Christian business men, the Gideons, is good for all Christians: “And they stood every man in his place round about the camp."

IN a “general” way, you want to see your friends converted, why not help the Lord answer your prayers by aiding Him in winning them one by one?

TRY to have some one ready to make a public profession when the evangelist gives the opportunity.

Personal Work.
QUALIFICATIONS needed.

If we are going to lead souls to Christ, there are a few qualification that we need.

1st. A DEFINITE EXPERIENCE is needed. We must be able to say with Paul.

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.

II Timothy 1:12.

Or to exclaim with the blind man.

WHETHER he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

John 9:25

One who would have real success must he himself, or herself thoroughly converted, and live a holy life. Just as the telegraph wire must be insulated, before it can carry the electric message, so the Christian must be insulated from his old life of sin, before he can carry the gospel message to lost souls.

2nd. A LOVE FOR SOULS needed.

Paul’s heart yearned for his brethren.

I HAVE great heaviness and continued sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren.

Romans 9:2-3.

3rd. A realization that SOULS ARE LOST, AND WE MAY be held RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM.

FOR what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Mark 8:36.

WHEN I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ezekiel 33:8-9.

4th. A WORKING KNOWLEDGE of the Bible is needed.

It is God’s word that is used by the Spirit in the saving of a soul, and not man’s word.

AND take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17.

STUDY to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

II Timothy 2:15.

SO shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11.

Through the use of the word of God, you are to seek to accomplish the following things.

1st. To show men their need of a Savior.

2nd. To show them Jesus as the Savior they need.

3rd. To show them how to make this Savior their own.

4th. To meet the difficulties in the way of their accepting Christ.

5th. The one who would have real success must live a life of prayer, and be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Notice what the Lord is saying to us, to encourage us in our efforts to save souls.

HE that winneth souls is wise.

Proverbs 11:30.

AND they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Daniel 12:3.

LET him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

James 5:20.

God help us to be faithful to our trust!

Personal Work.
The “soul-winner’s" prayer.

After having called attention to the qualifications required in personal work there is a special need of emphasizing the fact that faith in God and a constant waiting, in prayer on the Lord, are preeminently necessary; in connection with the latter we suggest some of the things for which we need to pray.

1st. Pray. “Lord give me "getting up” grace,” that is, courage to confess Christ.

AND your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:15.

2nd. Pray. “Lord give me walking grace.”

IN all they ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:6.

3rd. Pray. “Lord direct me to the right person.”

WHEN thou goest, it (God’s word) shall lead thee. (First Clause.)

Proverbs 6:22.

THEN the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near and join thyself to the chariot.

Acts 8:29.

4th. Pray. “Lord, show me what to say.”

IF any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally.

James 1:5.

THE Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

Isaiah 50:4.

THOU therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.”

Jeremiah 1:17.

5th. Pray that God will give power to what is said.

Pray that God, will carry an the work after we are through.

Personal work.
Help in COTTAGE meetings.

HELP work up the "Cottage Prayer Meetings” and endeavor to get some on your list to attend with you.

When the campaign begins, personally invite those on your list and try to get them to attend every night, always calling for and taking one or more with you.

Study and pray about the best and most tactful ways to get the unsaved to the meetings.

1. Give them a timely tract.

2. Quote to them a beautiful promise.

3. Write them a letter about salvation.

4. Introduce them to someone who will speak about Jesus.

5. When opportunity is given, speak to them about becoming a Christian.

6. Go with them to the inquiry room, altar or anxious seat.

7. Ask them to your home and pray with them there.

8. Help make every meeting you attend a good one by some part you can take.

9. In public always be brief both in prayer and remarks.

10. Have the mind and spirit of Christ with His words dwelling in you richly, and ever be ready to answer the Spirit’s call.

11. Be true to your own conscience.

Be not faithless. Let me name some of Satan's forces to defeat you at this point; Timidity, Distrust, False Pride, and Fear of Giving Offense.

Many souls perish because of these. Do they hinder you? Ask for grace and let God sink all these with your other sins into the depth at the sea.

Personal Work.
Use of the "PRAYER LIST" Card.

Pray for your friends!

THERE are few people who do not have a special influence on at least one other person. Make a list of twelve of your acquaintances—very carefully and prayerfully.

BE careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:6.

By so doing you will receive a blessing and see your friends saved.

DON’T wait until the meeting is nearly over, hoping they may get in on the “tidal wave,” or that the evangelist will “shake the tree" so hard they can’t hold on longer. But pitch in and do your best. (Hand-picked fruit always keeps better.) Get them started early so they can work for others during the revival meetings, and also have the help of the meeting to establish their faith.

SHOULD others seem to be working on your list, say nothing but tactfully co-operate and work with them.

As a rule select those of your own age and sex. Head your list with your own name and then begin with the unsaved person you know and love best, and most desire seeing saved. If all are not converted during the meetings follow them up afterwards until they are. Add new names to replace those who become converted and work this plan all the year, “in season and out of season.”

PRAY in private earnestly and aloud for each one by name at least twice a day. Study how to bring the most helpful influence to bear on them. Be very careful of your daily life before them and the world.

Keep your list confidential so that none but the Father and yourself know the names you have. Don't be satisfied unless you see them converted and in the church of their choice. Ever afterwards look upon them as your spiritual children, assuming responsibility for keeping them from falling.

Personal Work.

1st. WHERE to Find Them.

EVERYWHERE; by our side, in the home, in the school, shop and mill; behind the counter, where we stand; on the street, where we walk; in the pew where we worship; in the service, where we sing in the prayer meeting and inquiry room, at the altar, kneeling with us at family devotion; yes, everywhere. Oh, reader, whatever way your eye shall turn, there stand the lost ones whom Jesus came to save. Find them quick, quick! for eternity is drawing nigh.

2nd. HOW to Reach Them.

YOU CAN WIN THEM BY LOVE.

SAY “God give us hearts big enough to let Jesus and all our neighbors in. Ask the spirit of God to be your guide, for there is an open window to every soul. In many instances, they await your coming, for they have no peace, as God says there is none for the wicked. Go to them in love as Jesus would have gone, take His manner, choose His words. Go and delay not. Here is where courage plays so great a part.

3rd. WHAT to Tell Them.

Tell them Jesus loves them. Everybody likes to hear good news.

FOR God so loved the world, (me) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16.

TELL them that, for the gospel means nothing less. Who ever ran away from glad tidings or messages of great joy?

Tell them the whole Gospel, "To-wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation . . . as though God did beseech you by us; I pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

II Corinthians 5:19-20.

Personal Work.
HINTS and SUGGESTIONS.

WORKER’S life text: II Timothy 2:15.

Whatever your feeling of timidity in doing personal work, do not be deterred by fear that you may give offense. Be natural and courteous in asking the simple question as to personal salvation.

As far as possible converse only with persons of your own age or younger, of your own sex and walk in life.

Always deal with the inquirer alone if you can and in quiet; if some one intrudes, diverting his attention, kindly tell the intruder to be silent or withdraw.

After a few words to ascertain the state of mind of the inquirer, present the truth you think he needs from the Bible or this little book.

Depend not on your experience or ability to apply the Word; “It is the Spirit that quickeneth.”

Do not be in a hurry, take time to be thorough; some times in our eagerness to see souls saved, we do not make the way plain.

Let the Holy Spirit Himself show him that when he has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ he is at once saved.

If persons refuse, and seem to repulse you, do not be dismayed or think that you have made a mistake; God often uses such refusals to convict of sin and lead to repentance.

If a person baffles you with difficult questions, hand him over to a more experienced worker.

Never advise an inquirer to go home and read his Bible, or pray, or try to do better; this is losing the present opportunity with no promise of a future or better one.

Affectionately urge immediate decision. Pray with the inquirer.

Be cautious; that which is a help to one may not be to another, therefore “rightly divide the Word of Truth” And hold them to what God says and the acceptance of Christ.

Personal Work.
Suggestive Scriptures.

When you come to Christ, does He accept or reject you?

AND him that cometh to me; I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:37.

If you confess your sin to Him, what does He say he does with them?

IF we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9.

TO him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 10:43.

Who is it that has everlasting life?

HE that believeth on the Son hath everlasting llfe.

John 3:36.

Do you believe? If so, have you life? You say, “I don’t feel any “different.” It is not a matter of feeling, but of believing, see how God puts the order of things.

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.

Ephesians 1:13.

After you believe, God seals you. After you commit yourself for Christ confessing Him as your Saviour, the feeling comes. Don't “get the cart before the horse.”

AND this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

I John 5:14, 15.

GOD is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good.

Numbers 23:19.

Personal Work.
Fruit promised to faithful effort.

God has chosen us and sent us forth in His service promising fruit as the result of our work. Christ came to save souls.

FOR the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luke 19:10.

YE have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should GO and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.

John 15:16.

GO ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:15.

AND the lord said unto the servant, GO out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Luke 14:23.

AND he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Matthew 4:19.

AND he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

John 4:36.

There are wages that come now as we work, and there is a reward that will come bye and bye.

AND let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9.

CAST thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Ecclesiastes 11:1.

AND they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Daniel 12:3.

BEHOLD, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

John 4:35.

LET him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

James 5:20.

Personal Work.
FRUIT-BEARERS Chapter.

The fifteenth chapter of John, is the “fruit Chapter," likening Christ to the vine, and us to the branches; teaching us our need to abide in Christ, if we would bring forth fruit and have power.

1. I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Are you bearing fruit, and purged?

1. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

The word cleanses the life, as the knife prunes the vine.

1. Abide in me, and I In you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye except ye abide in me.

Only as we abide in Christ, can we bear fruit.

1. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

We can not do, even a little without Christ.

1. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

2. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Note the condition in asking, “if ye abide.”

1. Here in is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

John 15:1-8.

In order to bear fruit, there must be in the Christian’s life:

1st “cleansing” (vs. 2-3.);

2nd “abiding.” (v. 4.);

3rd "obedience" (v. 10.)

 

1. “fruit” (v. 2.);

2. “more fruit" (v. 2-10.);

3. “much fruit" (v. 5; 8)

Personal Work.
For those who feel Too Weak and are Fearful.

In all our work, God promises to maintain us, see His promises.

AND God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

II Corinthians 9:8.

AND he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

II Corinthians 12:9.

STRENGTH for service.

FEAR thou not: for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. . . . For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 41:10, 13.

BE strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee: he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:6.

Let us wait on Him and prove all of these promises!

HE giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31.

BUT my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19.

I CAN do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13.

THOU therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

II Timothy 2:3.

Personal Work.
A word to the unwilling.

God holds you RESPONSIBLE.

SO thou, O Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 33:7-8.

The field is RIPE TO HARVEST.

SAY not ye, There are yet four months and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

John 4:35-36.

Are you proving FAITHFUL?

THEREFORE be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Matthew 24:44-46.

I MUST work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

John 9:4.

CONSECRATE yourself to the work?

I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1.

God is ENCOURAGING you, listen!

AND they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

Daniel 12:3.

Pleasures.
Those who want to LIVE FOR THE WORLD.

Count the cost friend, and see what God says concerning those who live just for worldly pleasures. Will it pay?

1st. You MAY NOT enjoy it ANOTHER DAY!

BOAST not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 27:1.

2nd. You become the ENEMY OF GOD.

YE adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

James 4:4.