The Assembly of God. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. IIIMackintosh, Charles Henry
Religion
The Assembly of God. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. III
Mackintosh, Charles Henry
Theology
In the first place, we encounter a serious difficulty in the fact that
very few of us, comparatively, are in a condition of soul to appreciate
the subject, or to suffer a word of exhortation thereon. We are, for the
most part, so occupied with the question of our soul's salvation,--so
taken up with matters affecting ourselves, our peace, our liberty, our
comfort, our deliverance from the wrath to come, our interest in
Christ,--that we have but little heart for aught that purely concerns
Christ Himself--His name, His person, His cause, His glory.
There are, we may say, two things which lie at the foundation of all
true decision for Christ, namely, a conscience purged by the blood of
Jesus, and a heart that bows with reverent submission to the authority
of His Word in all things. Now we do not mean to dwell upon these things
in this paper; first, because we are anxious to get at once to our
immediate theme; and secondly, because we have so often dwelt on the
subject of establishing the conscience in the peace of the gospel, and
on setting before the heart the paramount claims of the word of God. We
merely refer to them here for the purpose of reminding the reader that
they are absolutely essential materials in forming the basis of decision
for Christ. If my conscience is ill at ease, if I am in doubt as to my
salvation, if I am filled with "anxious thought" as to whether I am a
child of God or not, decision for Christ is out of the question. I must
know that Christ died for me before I can intelligently and happily live
for Him.
So, also, if there be any reserve in the heart as to my entire
subjection to the authority of Christ as my Lord and Master; if I am
keeping some chamber of my heart, be it ever so remote, ever so small,
closed against the light of His Word, it must of necessity hinder my
whole-hearted decision for Him in this world. In a word, I must know
that _Christ is mine_ and _I am His_ ere my course down here can be one
of unswerving, uncompromising decision for Him. If the reader hesitates
as to this, if he is still in doubt and darkness, let him pause and turn
directly to the cross of the Son of God and hearken to what the Holy
Spirit declares as to all those who simply put their trust therein. Let
him drink into his inmost soul these words: "Be it known unto you,
therefore, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of
sins; and by Him _all_ that _believe are_ justified from _all_ things
from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Yes, reader,
these are the glad tidings for you. "_All_, from _all_," by faith in a
crucified and risen Lord.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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