ADDRESSES ON ROMANS
tense. He does this to show that the devices of man can never keep the plan and purpose of God from fulfillment. The devil and all his demons can not interfere with God's eternal purpose. Even the days that characterize the reign of the Antichrist can not interfere with God's purpose for his own. In the second Psalm we see the same thing. We read that the heathen nations are trying to form a conspiracy. in order to dethrone the Lord. Then in the second verse the God of heaven has them "in derision." And yet further, we see the Lord seated on the right hand of God. This is all told as if it had already taken place; yet it is a prophecy. ·Likewise, here in the eighth chapter of Romans, God links the past eter- nity with the future eternity. Do you not think this is enough to give us assurance of salvation, my friend? God does not want your mind to be filled with doubts and fears; He wants you to enjoy assurance of eternal life. Even if you doubt the eternal security of the believer, you are secure, whether you believe it or not. When you put your trust in Christ as your Saviour, God says you are eternally sure of heaven and His glorious presence. There- fore, if you still doubt this reassuring truth, your controversy is not with man; it is with the Word of God. Christians who doubt the inspired teaching on this sub- ject remind me of the man who wanted to cross the Mississippi River when it was frozen over, without walking a mile to the bridge. He decided, instead, to walk across on the ice. As he approached the middle of the river, he became fearful, lest the ice give way under him. Every little noise frightened him, and he even thought of turning back. Finally he decided to lie down, thereby distributing his weight over the ice. As he pulled himself along, inch by inch, the perspiration rolled down his face. Suddenly he heard a loud noise. He was sure the ice was breaking under him. But he looked up to see a man in a wagon loaded with pig iron and pulled by a mule. Then the once fearful man said to himself: "What a fool I am! If this ice Page 160]
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