An Easy Religion Popular
We are told that the people of these countries will be pleased with
our discourses if we dwell on the love of Jesus. Of this they never
tire, but we are in danger of losing our congregations if we dwell on
the sterner questions of duty and the law of God. There is a spurious
experience prevailing everywhere. Many are continually saying, “All
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that we have to do is to believe in Christ.” They claim that faith is all
we need. In its fullest sense, this is true; but they do not take it in the
fullest sense. To believe in Jesus is to take him as our redeemer and
our pattern. If we abide in him and he abides in us, we are partakers
of his divine nature, and are doers of his word. The love of Jesus in
the heart will lead to obedience to all his commandments. But the love
that goes no farther than the lips, is a delusion; it will not save any
soul. Many reject the truths of the Bible, while they profess great love
for Jesus; but the apostle John declares, “He that saith, I know him,
and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
him.” While Jesus has done all in the way of merit, we ourselves have
something to do in the way of complying with the conditions. “If ye
love me,” said our Saviour, “keep my commandments.”
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