DANGER OF PROLONGING if« dangerous to put off decisions which affect eternal destinies. D. L. Moody tells about one of the largest crowds he ever had the privilege of ad dressing in Chicago. He was speaking of Christ’s trial in Pilate’s hall when the question was asked, “What then shall I do with Jesusf” He concluded his sermon by exhorting the people, “TaJee these thoughts home with you. Seriously consider them. Next Sunday I’ll talk about the cross and you can decide what you urill do with the Sav our.” Moody said that this was his tragic error for he never saw that con gregation again. As the message end ed, Ira Sankey sang, but his voice was drowned cut by the clanging of fire bells. It was the disastrous night of the Chicago fire. Moody’s own taber nacle was left in ashes. Among those who perished were doubtless many who had been in his audience. Moody testi fied later, “That taught me a real les son. When preaching Christ, press for an immediate and definite decision!” The Bible rightly reminds us, “Boast net thyself of tomorrow, for thou know- est not what a day may bring forth”; “Behold now is the accepted time”; “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT How blessed it is for the believer to know that he can experience daily vic tory over problems and trials in his life by being filled with the Spirit of God. It’8 such a primary and even ele mentary example of Scripture that some fail to realize how this vital ac tion takes place. Consider the illustra tion of just a plain empty drinking glass. How does one get the air out of it? Should it be sucked out by a pump? No, this would never work. It would merely create a vacuum and eventually the glass would shatter. There’s only One real way to do it. If we were there in your home, we would put the glass under the water faucet and then fill it to the brim. In this manner all the air would be removed. One doesn’t with draw sin here and there, but rather finds his power over sin by being filled with the Spirit. Scripture exhorts us, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh; Be filled with the Spirit.” 15
represents God’s grace and unmerit ed favor. He supplies every want. Mercy suggests failure. When we sin, God supplies pardon not just for a certain prescribed period of time, but rather for all the days of my life. That means the dark days, the depressing days, the sick days, the discouraging days, the defeated days, the lonely days. U ndersco re the words ,‘‘all the days.” Finally there is the certainty of heart, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Into each home death will come some day. But into the home which God has provided for us death can never invade. Our Sav iour testifies in the 14th chapter of John, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Aren’t you glad you’re not build ing your own home over yonder? I’ve talked to a lot of people who’ve de signed and even built their own homes. Generally, every one will over look something and the mistake will be discovered after the building’s been completed. The home the Lord is constructing for us in which we’ll dwell for all eternity is nothing like that. Nothing is omitted and nothing is wrong. The changes of this mortal life are really necessary to prepare us for that life which is changeless. Look at it this way: time is the robing room for eternity. The poet has writ ten, “0 for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still.” “Blessed are the homesick for they shall reach home.” After all, what is the house of God, but actual ly His presence in our lives day by day? Enjoying heaven before we ac tually reach heaven requires faith which simply reckons a position which belongs to it. I t is based upon the assurance of God’s Holy Word. There is no other way to enter the green pastures of the Lord than the manner by which He has given us when He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
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