May - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
May - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
May - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland
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140<br />
The <strong>Free</strong> <strong>Presbyterian</strong> Magazine<br />
should suppose he was out <strong>of</strong> his senses. It matters little whe<strong>the</strong>r anyone saw<br />
him while he sowed his field, <strong>the</strong> harvest will soon make clear <strong>the</strong> absurdity<br />
<strong>of</strong> his conduct. Far worse is <strong>the</strong> folly <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> man who expects to find peace in<br />
<strong>the</strong> ways <strong>of</strong> sin, who sows to <strong>the</strong> flesh and yet hopes to reap life everlasting.<br />
The present life is our seedtime. We are sowing for eternity. The harvest is<br />
approaching, when we shall reap according to <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seed that we<br />
have sown, whe<strong>the</strong>r to <strong>the</strong> flesh or to <strong>the</strong> Spirit.<br />
This subject is important for us all. Our sins are many and serious; <strong>the</strong>y<br />
expose us to certain destruction. Let us not wait till our sin finds us out. It will<br />
do so, but it may be too late. Let us <strong>the</strong>refore all endeavour, without delay, to<br />
find our sins out, so that in true repentance, and faith in <strong>the</strong> blood <strong>of</strong> Christ,<br />
we may apply to God for pardoning mercy and sanctifying grace.<br />
Let none <strong>of</strong> us flatter ourselves with <strong>the</strong> hope that our sins are pardoned,<br />
merely because we confess that we are poor sinners and have learned to say,<br />
God have mercy on us. Many do so who evidently are strangers to God’s<br />
forgiveness. Many are encouraged to go on in sin from confused, mistaken<br />
ideas about gospel grace. But <strong>the</strong> genuine gospel does not give <strong>the</strong> least<br />
encouragement to sin. If we refuse to let our transgressions go, or if, while<br />
pretending to be sorry for our sins, we secretly indulge <strong>the</strong>m in our hearts and<br />
do not try to avoid <strong>the</strong> temptations which lead to <strong>the</strong>m, it is plain evidence that<br />
our hearts are not right with God, that our guilt is still unpardoned, and that we<br />
are still in our sins.<br />
True godly sorrow is known by its fruits. It produces sincere hatred <strong>of</strong> sin,<br />
habitual watchfulness against it, a holy fear <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fending God, and a uniform<br />
desire and endeavour to please Him. If we have obtained redemption through<br />
<strong>the</strong> blood <strong>of</strong> Christ – <strong>the</strong> forgiveness <strong>of</strong> all our sins, according to <strong>the</strong> riches<br />
<strong>of</strong> His grace – sin shall no longer have dominion over us. We may mourn<br />
over its prevalence, but we shall daily watch and pray and strive against it.<br />
Is it thus with you? Examine yourselves, whe<strong>the</strong>r you be in <strong>the</strong> faith; prove<br />
your own selves. The heart is deceitful. Let this make you distrust yourselves<br />
and lead you to pray as <strong>the</strong> Psalmist did: “Search me, O God, and know my<br />
heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if <strong>the</strong>re be any wicked way in<br />
me, and lead me in <strong>the</strong> way everlasting”.<br />
We again have an opportunity <strong>of</strong> approaching <strong>the</strong> Lord’s table. Let no<br />
one who is living in open or in secret sin venture to approach it. Let no one<br />
imagine that partaking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bread and wine will make atonement for <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
sins or settle accounts with God. Fatal mistake! Dreadful perversion <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> ordinance! But let every humble, penitent, believing sinner renew his<br />
application to <strong>the</strong> blood <strong>of</strong> sprinkling and come to receive <strong>the</strong> pledges <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Redeemer’s love.