The Iron Pen #53
"...graven with an iron pen and lead..." Job
19:24
Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.
The Danger of Falling Into Soft & Effeminate
Christianity
Horatius Bonar, 1808-1889
There is some danger of falling into a soft and
effeminate Christianity, under the plea of a lofty and ethereal (very weak) theology.
Christianity was born for endurance; not an exotic, but a hardy plant, braced by the keen
wind; not languid, nor childish, nor cowardly. It walks with strong step and erect frame;
it is kindly, but firm; it is gentle, but honest; it is calm, but not facile; obliging,
but not imbecile; decided, but not churlish. It does not fear to speak the stern word of
condemnation against error, nor to raise its voice against surrounding evils, under the
pretext it is not of this world; it does not shrink from giving honest reproof, lest it
come under the charge of displaying an unchristian spirit. It calls sin sin, in whomsoever
it is found, and would rather risk the accusation of being actuated by a bad spirit than
not discharge an explicit duty. Let us not misjudge strong words used in honest
controversy. Out of the heat a viper may come forth; but we shake it off and feel no harm.
The religion of both Old and New Testaments is marked by fervent testimonies against evil.
To speak smooth things in such a case may be sentimentalism, but it is not Christianity.
It is a betrayal of truth and righteousness. ... I know that charity covers a multitude of
sins; but it does not call evil good, because a good man has done it; it does not excuse
inconsistencies, because the inconsistent brother has a high name and a fervent spirit;
crookedness and worldliness are still crookedness and worldliness, though exhibited in one
who seems to have reached no common height of attainment.
Points to Ponder -- Nothing is politically right which is
morally wrong -- Daniel O’Connell (1775-1847)
A Challenge to Young Men and Young Women -- GO
AFTER SOULS!!!
J. B. Chapman
Proverbs 11:30b ...He that winneth souls is wise.
Young man, young woman, make the most of your life. Go after souls. Go
after them the best way you know, but go after them. Do not listen to those who warn you
that you will offend and drive away your persistence. Go after souls. Go after them by
public and private testimony. Go after them by service and by prayer. But go after them.
Go after them with love and a burdened heart. Go after them by kind deeds. Go after them
by song and praise. Go after them when they are bereaved and in sorrow. Go after them when
they are especially favored of God and men. But go after them. The soul-winning life is
your life--make the most of it.
TAKE ALARM!?
Every now and then I read something that jumps out at me and really
gets my attention. As I was paging through a Christian magazine nearly a half-century old
I came across this saying by Thomas Guthrie -- "If you find yourself loving any
pleasure better than your prayers, any book better than the Bible, any house better than
the house of God, any table better than the Lord’s table, any person better than
Christ, or any indulgence better than the hope of Heaven -- take alarm."
God & Country
If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering
and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man
can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound
obscurity. (Daniel Webster (1782-1852) was one of our nations greatest orators as well as
a diplomat. He served as a U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State under
three different Presidents)
TWO FAMILY
HISTORIES
(Adapted from Through the Eye Gate to the
Heart Gate by Hy. Pickering)
| UNBELIEVERS |
BELIEVERS |
| Birth
By nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Ephesians 2:3
That which is born of the flesh is flesh... John 3:6 |
Birth
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of
God... 1 John 5:1
That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.John 3:6 |
| Life
Without Christ...having no hope, and without God in the
world. Ephesians 2:12 |
Life
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. John 3:36
He that hath the Son hath life... 1 John 5:12 |
| Death
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but
after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27 |
Death
...to die is gain...to depart, and to be with
Christ; which is far better. Philippians 1:21, 23 |
| Eternity
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment. Matthew
25:46 |
Eternity
Called...unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus. 1
Peter 5:10 |
John 3:18&36 He that believeth on him (Christ) is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him.
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