The Way to God and How to Find ItMoody, Dwight Lyman
Religion
The Way to God and How to Find It
Moody, Dwight Lyman
Evangelistic sermons; Sermons, American
Some people do not believe in sudden conversion. But I will challenge
any one to show a conversion in the New Testament that was not
instantaneous. "As Jesus passed by He saw Levi, the son of Alpheus,
sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, 'Follow Me': and
he arose and followed Him" (Matt. ix. 9). Nothing could be more
sudden than that.
Zaccheus, the publican, sought to see Jesus; and because he was
little of stature he climbed up a tree. When Jesus came to the place
He looked up and saw him, and said, "Zaccheus, make haste, and come
down" (Luke xix. 5). His conversion must have taken place somewhere
between the branch and the ground. We are told that he received Jesus
joyfully, and said, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the
poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation,
I restore him fourfold" (Luke xix. 8). Very few in these days could
say that in proof of their conversion.
The whole house of Cornelius was converted suddenly; for so Peter
preached Christ to him and his company the Holy Ghost fell on them,
and they were baptized. (Acts x.)
On the day of Pentecost three thousand gladly received the Word. They
were not only converted, but they were baptized the same day. (Acts
ii.)
And when Philip talked to the eunuch, as they went on their way, the
eunuch said to Philip, "See, here is water: what doth hinder me to be
baptized?" Nothing hindered. And Philip said, "If thou believest with
all thine heart, thou mayest." And they both went down into the
water; and the man of great authority under Candace, the queen of the
Ethiopians, was baptized, and went on his way rejoicing. (Acts viii.
26-38.) You will find all through Scripture that conversions were
sudden and instantaneous.
A man has been in the habit of stealing money from his employer.
Suppose he has taken $1,000 in twelve months; should we tell him to
take $500 the next year, and less the next year, and the next, until
in five years the sum taken would be only $50? That would be upon the
same principle as gradual conversion.
If such a person were brought before the court and pardoned, because
he could not change his mode of life all at once, it would be
considered a very strange proceeding.
But the Bible says, "Let him that stole steal no more" (Eph. iv. 28).
It is "right about face!" Suppose a person is in the habit of cursing
one hundred times a day: should we advise him not to utter more than
ninety oaths the following day, and eighty the next day; so that in
the course of time he would get rid of the habit? The Saviour says,
"Swear not at all." (Matt. v. 34.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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