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Sept. 22, igcg. THE PRESBYTERI
that they do not have to decide with a final decision
and it is a common feeling among us that, practically,
no one is in danger of committing the unpardonable
sin. If we once deny the one truth, that when a
sinner, effectually called, accepts Christ, this is a final
decision, after which there can be no falling away
from faith, then it is easy also to deny the other truth.
that when a sinner, brought up to repentance, rejects
Christ, this is a final decision, after which there can
he no renewal up to repentance again; and if we deny
that the gospel is now pressing its hearers to finality
of decision for or against Christ, then it is easy to
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third, and on indefinitely.
The only escape from this error is in realizing
the terrible urgency of the gospel, and coming both
to see clearly and to feel profoundly, that, no sinner
can have more than one probation whether he will
accept Christ or reject Him. There is but one
probation, and no second probation follows it. It is
of pure grace that Christ is offered to the sinner at
all: and if the sinner rejects Christ, this is neither
the fault of God nor the result of circumstances, but
it is the sinner's sin, and his highest achievement in
sin- The gospel is God's message concerning His
Son ministered by the Holy Spirit; to the sinner
here and now.it comes with the authority of God, with
the attractiveness of Christ, and with the persuasiveness
of the Spirit, as powerfully as it can come in
any world at any time; and the only obstacle to its
acceptance is the sinner's inexcusable sinfulness. The
gospel is urging, is pressing, is forcing the sinner to
a final decision, a decision free but eternally final.
Beyond this decision there will be no severance from
Christ of any one who has decided for Him, and no
coming into union with Christ of any one who has
decided against him.
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?
By Rev. R.D. Carmichael.
It is an old saying but in every individual experience
a new truth that life is a voyage between two
eternities?a voyage from the past to the future?a
voyage from nowhere to somewhere. Every new
ship must have a trial trip. With what care the
workmanship of every part is watched and guarded.
If the first voyage turns but well all the rest is secure.
But with you the whole life is a test, a trial trip
from the shores of time to the harbors of eternity.
There is but one voyage to be made. Men and
angels and d<*vils are the spectators; heaven and hell
are watching. If the voyage is good all is well;
success now is success forever, but failure now is
eternal failure.
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j.iic vuj<t?c is nui smooin. Liie is a contiict.
You have found it so if you have tried to control a
high temper, to subdue your passions, to come nearer
to the ideal in Christ. It costs no effort to drift
with the current of sin, but if you start up stream
you have work to do. And the voyage is a military
expedition; you are at war with the world, with
the flesh, with the devil. That looks like a low
view of life, but it is the high view; for that is the
only life which attains to nobility of character.
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AN OF THE SOUTH. 7
From another point of view life is a prophecy. What
you are here you will be hereafter, on a larger scale.
Do you prefer evil, and will you hug it to your
bosom till the end of life? Then you will likely
prefer it through all eternity. Do you love the
good in your own life as well as in that of others?
Do you long after God? You may confidently expect
those desires to be fulfilled in eternity.
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...o n.aua us iu diiuiucr partial aennition ol lite.
It is a preparation. Shall I not say it is the preparation
for eternity? Can you tell me another opportunity
besides this which you will have to get ready
for the issues of eternity? Life is only preparation
for the future. And we are agreed that the greatest
things are those which are before us. Does it
not seem strange that so many of us refuse to act
on this knowledge? Some appear to treat the present
life as if it were all there is to our existence.
i ney want to get the most out of life. They are
not thinking about putting the most into the life to
come?laying up treasures in heaven.
But life is more than a preparation. It is a work.
Human nature is too wonderful, endued with too
many powers, for one to have no work in the world.
And yet some Christians act as if they had the right
to be only honorary members of the church with no
duties to perform. A learned society may honor itself
by electing some distinguished man to honorary
membership; but the church has no use for members
with nothing to do. An "honorary" member of the
church dishonors Christ and His cause. It is not
enough to sit idle and sing oneself away into everlasting
bliss. Help now is needed more here in the
world than it is in heaven.
That other people are at work and much work
being done already does not hinder another from
working. In the preface to his Gospel Luke gives
as the reason for his writing the fact that others had
written before him. There was something which
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he did it. Xo one has regretted that Luke added
his Gospel.
There ought to be no delay about the work. Some
have bread and to spare. A dying world extends a
dumb and piteous call for their help.
Now, let us sum up all our partial definitions of
life?test, conflict, prophecy, preparation, work?and
then let us add one other touch to give color to the
whole. Life is a great uncertainty. What one has
to do he ought to be doing now. How long one may
have to work is unknown.
In that Sicilian earthquake a few months ago when
cities and towns were erased at a single stroke, how
many ot the thousands who perished thus expected
to go in that way? I never knew of any one going
in the way that he expected. You and I are to go
?I know not when, I know not how?but I do know
that we are to go. If God should call you hence
and question your conscience in silence, how would
you answer? How have you met the test? How
have you borne the conflict? What is your life's
prophecy? What preparation have you made? What
work have you accomplished. What? God help
you frame the answer.
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