Warning for Christless Souls

Sentimentality doesn't get you into heaven, the cross of Christ does.

BECAUSE GOD HAS MADE NO PROMISE TO CHRISTLESS SOULS TO STAY HIS HAND ONE MOMENT. God has laid Himself under no manner of obligation to you. He has nowhere promised that you shall see tomorrow, or that you shall hear another sermon. There is a day near at hand when you shall not see tomorrow.

V. IT IS A SORE SLAUGHTER.

1. Sore, because it will be on all who are Christless.

2. Sore slaughter, because the sword is the sword of God.

(R. M'Cheyne.)

Untimely mirth
Lightfoot says: "I have heard it more than once and again, from the sheriffs who took all the gunpowder plotters and brought them up to London, that every night when they came to their lodging by the way, they had their music and dancing a good part of the night. One would think it strange that men in their case should be so merry." More marvellous still is it that those between whom and death there is but a step should sport away their time as if they should live on for ages. Though the place of torment is within a short march of all unregenerate men, yet see how they make mirth, grinning and jesting between the jaws of hell!
( C. H. Spurgeon.)

Ezekiel 21

There is only one way by which man can be saved, saved from sin, saved from guilt and shame, saved from judgement, saved from condemnation, saved from God's wrath. And that is to repent of your sins and put your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. 

You Can't Out Give God

You can read about two meetings at the Ripley Salvation Army Home League in their blog, here. The first week we took in photographs and the following week Pamela spoke on treasure. The ladies spoke of things they had collected as hobbies. Pamela shared with us that she had once had to give up a treasured possession, she had found it hard but even so she did it believing this was what the Lord was asking of her. At the end of the meeting I jokingly said that I had a boomerang that was a treasured possession and I had tried to give it away but it kept coming back, yes there was much groaning from the rest of the people there, but do you know there is an element of truth in this because whenever you bless someone by giving you are blessed right back

All that we have is from God, there is nothing good that we have not received but from Him. It seems to me that the more you give the more blessed you are, not because God is rewarding you for good works, or that you are saved by good works, but simply because you can’t help but feel blessed knowing that you have given something, or done something, or prayed for someone in need. Why, because it is Christ’s love that motivates us. This is totally different from the heresies of the faith movement and the prosperity movement, who give a God wants you rich gospel and it’s your fault if you’re not healthy, and wealthy, you don’t have enough faith or you’ve sinned.

I am talking about a genuine love for the Lord Jesus Christ that outworks in thinking of others before self, and in blessing others we are blessed. Not with wealth and possessions but with all the spiritual goodness that comes from God. We give for other’s needs, and God gives in ways that we would never have imagined for our own needs. But I can never give more than God has given me how do I know? Because I cannot save anyone, I cannot redeem anyone, I cannot sanctify anyone, I cannot give anyone real peace and joy, that comes only from God through the Son. But I can point you to the one who can, the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross at Calvary and took the punishment for our sins. In Him alone is real peace, forgiveness, and joy. The world can’t give you these things but oh how blessed we are when we receive them through Christ Jesus.

What is your motive for giving? It makes you feel good, or you enjoy doing things for others, or you want to make a difference? Everyone’s motives are different but if we know the Lord Jesus Christ then all that we do should be as though it were done to Him.  

Matthew 25: 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”