"The Experience of a Sinner," The Gospel Messenger vol. 14 no. 3 (Mar. 1892)
It has been supposed that we preach a doctrine of this sort: That if a man is to be saved that he will be saved, whether he repents or not—that he will be saved anyhow, let him live as he may; but Christ taught no such doctrine, nor do his ministers, but they teach a doctrine in which all these gifts and graces are secured to all the chosen and redeemed of the Lord. And such remarks as this have been made: “If I believed as you do, I would be easy and have no concern about my salvation.” But the concern is necessary, and is really an evidence of grace, while unconcern is an evidence of death. And I have myself, and do even now, at times, wonder why I am so concerned and troubled as I am about my salvation; but I can’t help it. I have heard brethren even, say to others, “You need not be uneasy about the salvation of your children; if Christ has redeemed them he will call and save them;” and I believe it, but still I am concerned about them; and sometimes I am more concerned because I have so little concern about them. |
