Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

nonconformity to God; and according to this evidence will God judge
him. Here, then, is no respect of persons. God's judgment will be
according to a man's work, and a man's work or conduct will be according
to the moral state of his mind. No favouritism can prevail in the day of
judgment; nothing will pass there but holiness of heart and life. A
righteousness imputed, and not possessed and practised, will not avail
where God judgeth according to every man's work. It would be well if
those sinners and spurious believers, who fancy themselves safe and
complete in the righteousness of Christ, while impure and unholy in
themselves, would think of this testimony of the apostle. [7]
As eternal life is given IN the Son of God, it follows it cannot be
enjoyed WITHOUT him. No man can have it without having Christ;
therefore "he that hath the Son hath life," and "he that hath not the Son
hath not life." It is in vain to expect eternal glory if we have not Christ in
our heart. The indwelling Christ gives both a title to it and a meetness for
it. This is God's record. Let no man deceive himself here. An indwelling
Christ and glory; no indwelling Christ, no glory. God's record must stand.
Who are Christ's flock? All real penitents; all true believers; all who
obediently follow his example, abstaining from every appearance of evil,
and in a holy life and conversation show forth the virtue of Him who
called them from darkness into his marvellous light. "My sheep hear my
voice and follow me." But who are not his flock? Neither the backslider
in heart, nor the vile Antinomian, who thinks the more he sins the more
the grace of God shall be magnified in saving him; nor those who fondly
suppose they are covered with the righteousness of Christ while living in
sin; nor the crowd of the indifferent and the careless; nor the immense
herd of Laodicean loiterers; nor the fiery bigots who would exclude all
from heaven but themselves, and the party who believe as they do. These
the Scripture resembles to swine, dogs, goats, wandering stars, foxes,
lions, wells without water, &c., &c. Let not any of these come forward to
eat of this pasture, or take of the children's bread. Jesus Christ is the good
Shepherd; the Shepherd who, to save his flock, laid down his own life.