Tom
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
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#50848
Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Annie Oakley
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Annie Oakley
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,320 Likes: 37 |
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ~ Ephesians 6:10
The believer is to persevere in his Christian course to the end of his life: his work and his life must go off the stage together. This adds weight to every other difficulty of the Christian’s calling.
We have known many who have gone into the field, and liked the work of a soldier for a battle or two, but soon have had enough, and come running home again; but few can bear it as a constant trade.
Oh this persevering is a hard word!
This taking up of the cross daily, this praying always, this watching night and day, and never laying aside our clothes and armor; I mean, indulging ourselves to remit and unbend in our holy waiting on God, and walking with God; this sends many sorrowful away from Christ; yet this is the saint’s duty, to make religion his every-day work, without any vacation from one end of the year to the other.
These few instances are enough to show what need the Christian has of resolution.
This gives us then a reason why there are so many that profess and so few Christians indeed; so many that run, and so few obtain; so many go into the field against Satan, and so few come out conquerors; because all have a desire to be happy, but few have courage and resolution to grapple with the difficulties that meet them in their way to happiness.
All Israel came joyfully out of Egypt under Moses' conduct, yea, and a mixed multitude with them, but when their bellies were a little pinched with hunger, and their greedy desires of a present Canaan deferred, yea, instead of peace and plenty, war and penury, they, like white-livered soldiers, are ready to fly from their colours, and make a dishonorable retreat into Egypt.
The greatest part of those who profess the gospel, when they come to push of pike,—to be tried what they will do, deny, endure for Christ,—grow sick of their enterprise.
Alas! their hearts fail them, they are like the waters of Bethlehem. But if they must dispute their passage with so many enemies, they will even content themselves with their own cistern, and leave heaven to others that will venture more for it.
O how many part with Christ at this cross-way!
So the sweet bait of religion hath drawn many to nibble at it, who are offended with the hard service it calls to. It requires another spirit than the world can give or receive to follow Christ fully.
Let this then exhort you, Christians, to labor for this holy resolution and prowess which is so needful for your Christian profession, that without it you cannot be what you profess.
The fearful are in the forlorn of those that march for hell, Revelation 21. The violent and valiant are they which take heaven by force; cowards never won heaven.
Oh how uncomely a sight is it, a bold sinner, and a fearful saint! One resolved to be wicked, and a Christian wavering in his holy course. Take heart, therefore, you saints, and be strong; your cause is good.
God himself espouses your quarrel, who has appointed you his own Son, general of the field, called ‘the Captain of our salvation,’ Hebrews 2. He shall lead you on with courage, and bring you off with honor. He lived and died for you; he will live and die with you; for mercy and tenderness to his soldiers, there is none like him.
~ William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour (excerpted in part)
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Be strong in the Lord
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chestnutmare
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Fri Jul 25, 2014 11:23 PM
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