Tuesday, July 16, 2013

DO WE REALLY SACRIFICE?



"Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee:  let such as
love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified."  Psalms 40:16



   "Many speak of the life of the Christian taking away from us pleasures
and worldly enjoyments.  I say it takes away nothing worth saving.
Is there perplexity, poverty, and distress endured by the Christian?
Oh, yes, this is expected in this life.  But is the sinner, of whom we
speak as enjoying the pleasures of this world, free from these ills of
life?  Do we not often see them in deep perplexity and trouble?...

   Christians sometimes think they have a hard time and that it is a
condescension in them to lay hold of unpopular truth and profess to
be Christ's followers, that the road seems hard and that they have
many sacrifices to make, when in reality they make no sacrifice at all.
If in reality they are adopted into the family of God, what sacrifice
have they made?  Their following Christ may have broken some
friendship with their world-loving relatives, but look at the exchange
their names written in the Lamb's book of life, elevated, yes,
greatly exalted, to be partakers of salvation, heirs of God and joint
heirs with Jesus Christ to an imperishable inheritance.  Shall we call
it a sacrifice on our part to yield error for truth, darkness for
light, sin for righteousness, a perishable name and inheritance upon
earth for honors that are lasting, and a treasure undefiled that fadeth
not away?

   Even in this life, the Christian has One upon whom to lean for
support, who will help him bear all his trials.  Yet the sinner has to
bear his trials alone.  He goes down into the grave suffering remorse
under darkness, bound by Satan, for he is his lawful prey....

   If there is any one who should be continually grateful, it is the
follower of Christ.  If there is any one who enjoys real happiness,
even in this life, it is the faithful Christian.... If we appreciate
or have any sense of how dearly our salvation was purchased, anything
which we may call sacrifice will sink away into insignificance."

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