Good Works
In a previous communication, we have seen that being born again is the unaided work of the HOLY SPIRIT, changing the heart or renewing the soul. Let us now consider some of the good works or proofs following the new birth. While all good works are evidences of regeneration, it is desirable first, to mention the leading scriptural evidence of that great change. These are faith, love and obedience. First, to be named of these proofs is a conscious love for God. "Every one that loveth is born of God." Again, "whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." I John v. 1. "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of him:" I John ii. 29. The closing testimony now given as proof, that this renewing work of God's Spirit has been perform;.-d for a person is' "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. I John iii. 14. Be it remembered that these evidences of regeneration, together with good works in general, do not precede or enable us to be born again, but being born again we are then enabled to perform good works. Our obedience is the result of the new birth. Thus good works prove we "have passed from death unto life." For "we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph. ii. 10. Then those born again are sure to walk in good works, though imperfectly performed; for what God has ordained will not fail. So where there are no good works in one's life, there is neither new birth, nor no home in heaven for such a person. Then no good works--no salvation. Yet our salvation is not based on our obedience, but on the perfect obedience of Christ imputed to us. God gives our salvation, because he loves us, and Christ has obeyed for us. And we are constrained to obey God, because we love him. Jesus says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments.'' And as we love our Divine Husband, we will faithfully endeavor to keep all his commands. Jesus says be baptized; and as "Now is the accepted time," let all who love our Lord be baptized without delay. Jesus has enjoined the Lord's supper; let us be punctual in this service, and be renewed in strength. Jesus says,. "Ye ought to wash one another's feet;" let us do so in humble, obedient love, and be happy. These things are to be observed by church members only. Besides, our Lord commands us to "neglect not the assembling of ourselves together." Then let us be always prompt and faithful to meet and "desire the sincere milk of the word that we may grow thereby." Jesus says for us to pray always. Then, dear brethren and sisters, let us watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation; but rather enjoy a sweet sense of his love and peace in our hearts. Dear brethren, read a chapter in the word of truth daily, and pray in your families, and sup with Jesus. But be sure you pay your debts and love one another, lest your prayers be hindered. Our Lord says. "Avoid jesting and foolish talking." Oh, let us try to do so and abide in His love. Observe, it is not said, to avoid too much jesting, as though some of this lightness is allowable. But it is said, "Avoid jesting." Then one jest or one foolish word is disobedience, and therefore too much. Jesting is defined; not in earnest; talking for merriment--Webster. Dear brethren, let us be more earnest, and more in sympathy with our Lord's bitter suffering and death. Let us try to entirely avoid all jesting and light laughter, as well as foolish thoughts and words. Many of the most wicked and most silly persons laugh most. The Scriptures plainly enjoin that we avoid Phariseeism or pretend-gravity, as one extreme; and that we avoid this levity or lightness on the other extreme. We are told to be sober, grave, etc., not in pretense, but in truth. This growing levity as well as all unholy hints and vulgar talk, is a sinful extreme, which good manners and the WORD OF GOD require us to avoid, it is not written that Jesus laughed, but that "Jesus wept." Our God says, "Woe unto you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep." Oh, dear brethren let us prayerfully endeavor to only let our conversation or conduct "be as becometh the gospel of Christ." Phil, i. 27. Let us "watch and pray that we enter not into temptation." When we, with all prayer and watchfulness, 'try to do' perfectly right in thought, word and deed, we still fall short of that perfection, we so much desire. Do not scold nor dispute with your children, nor "provoke them to wrath, but bring them up in the nature arid admonition of the Lord." Eph. vi. 4. Teach them the Holy Scriptures at home, and take them with you to hear faithful preaching. Control them by example, love and firmness, Which will usually suffice but spare not the rod if needful, Train up your children in the way they should go morally, and pray God to bless them and renew their hearts. Yes, train up your boys and girls in the way they should go, and that from early child-life. Ask yourselves the question: Is this or that, the way they should go? By this divine rule, observe due separation of the sexes from the first. Assign them separate rooms or beds at your homes and separate playgrounds at school. Since this writing I have seen a fourteen year old girl who had borne a child by her younger brother, the parents having allowed them to bed together from child-hood. Shame! Discourage all sweetheart talk to young children; and as an angel of purity, watch over your boys and girls by day and by night, to prevent wrong tendencies and bad habits. It is your loving duty to render your advice useful by often naming the cause and results of certain, habits. You will thus supply that knowledge and self-control which they do not now possess. Their ignorance and weakness demand your help. Therefore, as fully as possible, let parental love answer this demand. O parents, awake to your great responsibilities! Obey God and train up your children from the first in the way they should go. Do not allow them to be too familiar, nor to receive the undue bestowal of kisses. For thereby serious disease might be communicated as a penalty for the wrong to say nothing of the possible moral injury. Remember, true modesty and virtue goes hand in hand. So I beg you, do not allow your girls, though but five or six years old, to be nursed by any man except by their father-not even by the preacher, for bad influence often results when none is intended. But train them up while young, in the way they should go when older. Do not allow your children to talk while others are talking. Then they will not bring you to shame by talking or whispering during prayer or church conference or while the man of God is reading or preaching the word. Do not make one or two efforts and quit; but by "precept upon precept, line upon line," impress upon your children lessons of neatness, plainness, soberness and virtue. Do not let them take the name of God in vain; but imbue them with principles of respect, truth, industry and honesty. Be sure you set them right examples, and thus "train them up in the way they should go." By this rule do not allow your boys and girls to be impudent, or use "big talk" to one another nor to older persons. Do not allow them to disobey you. If you do, they will soon disrespect and hate you, or love you not so well. Then as you love your children, as a blessing From God, see to it, that they obey you in righteousness and love. Oh, brethren and sisters, do not allow your children to attend "dances" and "sociables." For these revelries are not a necessity but a bad habit, which will never be desired if not begun. May God lead you to lovingly say no, to everything that is wrong. So when you sleep in death your word shall speak in whispers of love to your clear ones. Though dead, your example and words will continue to influence the jewels God has given you, restraining them from wrong, and encouraging them in the right. Oh ! then in view of Jesus' dying love, give heed to his blessed words, "If ye love me keep my commandments." Then finally, dear brethren, "let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." And let every man escort His own wife, and let every woman attend her own Husband. Let us try to be faithful and loyal to God and to one another. May Jesus our Divine Husband, enable us to prayerfully perform ALL GOOD WORKS, from a sense of love and duty to God and to man. --------------
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