296
June 1930
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
the night was gone and they found themselves safely on their way out of the land of bondage. From others per haps nothing but the sound of rejoicing would be heard through all the hours of that night. What would be the difference between them? Why should one household be fearful while the other rejoiced? Both were equally safe because of the blood, but only one was sure, and that one was sure because the word of God was trusted. He had said, “ When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Ex. 12:13). When His word was trusted they were not only safe but assured of their safety; the others were safe hut fearful because they did not fully trust His word. The New Testament is full of the word of assurance for all who will trust it. For instance, such passages as “He that believeth on the Son ha th everlasting life” (Jno. 3 :36) ; “He that . . . believeth . . . shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (Jno. 5 :24) ; and “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31) could be quoted almost without limit. And on this, the word of God, the believer rests his heart and joyfully declares his assur ance of salvation. W hat A bout T h e F u tu r e ? There are some who, while ready to believe they are saved today, are uncertain about tomorrow, and still more uncertain about'eternity. But the word of God is as assur ing concerning the future as it is of today. “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (Jno. 10:28, 29). Mr. Moody used to say, “They might wriggle around some within those hands, but they could never wriggle out.” And Mr. Moody was right. In Gal. 3 :26 it is said that we “are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” A child is one born into a family, and when so born, is as much a member of that family as the eldest child. When once born into the family of God by faith, the believer of today is as much in that family as the Apostle Paul. How did Paul get into the family ? By faith in Jesus Christ. Why is Paul in heaven now? Because of his good life? His strenuous labors? His wide service? No! Simply because he believed in Jesus Christ, and that faith made him a child of God. Again, it is written that “he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1 :6). The work was begun because of the eternal purpose of God, it is carried on by the almighty power of God, and it will be completed because of the unbreak able promise of God. Hence the purpose, power, and promise of God are behind the believer’s assurance of sal vation. This is a threefold cord not to be broken. H indrances to A ssurance What is it that hinders Christians from enjoying the full assurance of their salvation which undoubtedly be longs to them? The hindrance may be ignorance of the work which God has done, is doing, and will yet do on their behalf. Or it may be ignorance of the word which God has spoken, that word which is settled forever in heaven. While God’s work alone makes the Christian safe, it is His word alone which gives assurance. If His word is doubted, uncertainty will be the result. If the reader has believed in Jesus Christ as a personal Saviour and is yet without the assurance of eternal salvation, let him
ask himself if he really does believe what God has spoken. It may be that the hindrance comes from some evil or questionable habit in the life. Known, unconfessed, un forsaken sin will rob one of the assurance of salvation. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13). “He that followeth me shall not walk in dark ness, but shall have the light of life” (Jno. 8:12). S in s of C hr istians It is sometimes asked, When the Christian sins, does this annul his salvation? Certainly not. No more than when a child in the family disobeys does it become a mem ber of some other family. It is still in the family and has the same parentage. The prodigal son was still a son of his father even when feeding the swine in the far coun try'; he was not enjoying his sonship and its privileges but he was still the son. There is no necessity for the Christian to sin, but there is always the possibility, and because of this the Holy Spirit has written, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 Jno. 2 :1,2). “I f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us. from all un righteousness” (1 Jno. 1:9). When the Christian does fall into sin he is to go to the Father and confess the sin. He does not go with his confession to God as the Judge, but to God as the Father. He does not go as a sinner seek ing salvation, but as a child seeking forgiveness. He does not go to be once more redeemed, but to be restored to fellowship with thé Father. The Father’s discipline is surely exercised and there may be chastisement, but this is in the family, and not in the court of justice where the unsaved sinner stands. When the Christian falls into'sin his salvation is not lost but the assurance of it is gone. He finds “ trouble and sorrouf’ as David describes so vividly in Psalms 51 and 32. Hence it is not only possible for every reader of this paper to be saved by simple faith in Jesus Christ, but also for every saved one to know that he is saved for time and eternity by simple trust in the word which the Lord hath spoken. Oss Our Friend, Dr. B. B. Sutcliffe We have just received word that Dr. Sutcliffe, who for nine years has been director and teacher of the Port land Union Bible Classes, has resigned from that position. This will be sad news for the lovers of good Bible teach ing in Oregon, but good news for congregations who need Bible conferences to stimulate Bible study and Christian service. Dr. Sutcliffe is one of the best Bible conference teachers in America. The Bible Institute of Los Angeles will be glad to make dates for this man of God, or you may address him directly at 281 South Broadway, Port land, Oregon.—Editor. Institute Commencement Rev. P. W. Philpott, D.D., will preach the Bacca laureate sermon Sunday, June 15, in connection with the morning service of the Church of the Open Door. Rev. Herbert Booth Smith, Pastor of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Los Angeles, will deliver the commencement address Tuesday, June 17, 7:45 P. M., in the Institute Auditorium.
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