43. Make It Sure

Sermon 41

Make It Sure

"Make be a principle of government to all the children of men, in all the relations of life. There is nothing in which we deal, so far as earthly interest is concerned, but that it becomes our duty to make it sure—to make it as sure as we can. Many hearts have been broken, many homes have been given up, and many disappointments in life have followed, simply because, in our earthly titles, we have failed to make them as sure as we could.

If life is so fraught with disappointments and troubles here because we are not careful enough with worldly titles, what about that life which is to come? Is it true today that we can claim to have a title clear to mansions in the city of God? If not, will you not with me, dear sinner, wander back to the place of beginning, and let us examine the whole ground carefully, and see if some profitable lesson will not come to us.

There are several positions, each claiming to be true, that demand our attention here. If it be found that one of them is true and the other false, we have acted wisely and made it sure to take the one in which there can be no doubt. And in the examination of these positions if it be found that there is one that is true, in which there can be no possibility of a loss, whether the others be true or false, certainly it will be the part of a wise man to accept the one in which no failure can

Calling attention to the diagram, you will note four positions laid down— infidelity the lowest, and Christianity the highest. Reasoning on infidelity, let us suppose that it may finally prove true, and the Bible a failure. In that event a Christian has lost nothing; for he is a good man in this fife if he practices Christianity, and he will come out equal with the infidel in the last day. But if it turns out that the Bible is true and infidelity false, man has lost all to be an infidel. So, to make it as sure as we can, it is better to be a Christian than an infidel.

Just above infidelity we note the claim of Universalism. But suppose Universalism is true, a man loses nothing in being a Christian, for he is bound to be saved according to the Universalist creed. So man makes it sure from that standpoint. But if it turns out that Universalism is false, and a man has been a Universalist instead of a Christian, he loses in not making it as sure as he could.

But above Universalism comes Protestantism, and claims justification by faith only. If this doctrine be true, and a man is a Christian, and believes as James did that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only, he is on the right side of Protestantism, for he has the faith and will be saved. But if it turns out that the Bible is true, a man is only absolutely saved when he is a Christian. It is then that he makes it as sure as he can.

With these thoughts before us, finding that a man only claims to be absolutely safe to be a Christian, admitting all other positions to be true or false, I now call attention to the fact that along the line of Bible work, in all ages, God has blessed man at the end of obedience, and pronounced a curse upon him when he has violated the law of God.

Perhaps a few examples involving this principle will help to understand:

.......1. From the very beginning we find that God pronounced a curse upon man for violating His law. "In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17). This law was plain, simple, and could be understood. But finally there came a teacher—one claiming to understand language—who went to Adam and Eve to tell them that God did not meanwhat He said, but something else, for God knew they would not die. As a result they believed the devil who first taught the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints. They ate the fruit and the consequences of sin, sickness, and death have been among the children of men from then till now.

2. When Israel was in Egyptian bondage, Moses went to bring them out, and the night before they left an angel passed over Egypt, taking the first born of every house. But to this rule exceptions were made. It was told Moses that on the evening before the memorable night for each house of Israel to kill a lamb, and take some of the blood and sprinkle it over the door, and it should come to pass that when the death angel should pass through that country in all houses where the blood was found no one there should be harmed (Exodus 12:21-31). This seemed to be a plain, simple law, yet there was much in observing it. When the clock of time tolled the hour of twelve, a great cry in Egypt was heard, from the lowest hovel to the king on his throne; for the first born In every house where the blood was not found had been called away.

3. Another example we notice, during the time of David. When Israel went to bring the ark of God into the holy city, Uzzah put forth his hand and touched the ark, and was smitten of the Lord and died (2 Samuel 6). But some may say this was hard—to kill a man for no offense, only touching the ark of the Lord. Yes, but remember that God had taught that none save the sons of Aaron should touch it, under the penalty of death. This man, even while desiring to do good had plainly violated the law of God.

4. When Israel went into the land that God had promised Abraham, Jericho lay in their way, and this city must be taken. So Joshua went to the Lord for instruction. The command was plain and simple, and while we may see nothing like cause and effect in their march, yet when they had gone around the city seven times. according to the commandment of God, blowing on the rams' horns and turning to the walls with a mighty shout; the walls fell, and Israel went in and possessed the city ( Joshua 6)

5. We read how Naaman was possessed with leprosy and no medical aid would do him good. But finally through a little maid he learned of a prophet of God in Israel who could cure his disease. The prophet would not so much as go out and talk to him, but told his servant to go and tell him to wash seven times in Jordan, and he should be clean. In this we see nothing like cause and effect, but faith and obedience to the word of God. When Naaman obeyed the law of God he came forth out of Jordan, after his seven dippings, with his flesh as tender and pure as that of a child (2 Kings 6). How many preachers in our day and time would have argued that is water salvation? It is placing too much stress on water and not enough on God.

6. One more example in the Old Bible we will mention. While Israel was in the wilderness they disobeyed and wandered off from God. In order to arrest them God sent fiery serpents into their camps, the bite of which was death. They appealed to Moses for relief, and he erected a brazen serpent upon a pole. It came to pass that when one was bitten by the fiery serpent Moses commanded him to look at the serpent on the pole, with the promise he should live (Numbers 21).

Thus we have run along the line of obedience and transgression in the Old Bible, and found that God was not slack concerning His promises. Paul said these things were written for our instruction. Again, he asks, if these things were sure and steadfast, how can we escape if we neglect this salvation that was first spoken of by the Lord?

Then along the line of New Testament instruction God has promised us salvation if we will hear His word, believe His teaching, and obey His commands.

Have you, dear friend, believed in Christ with all your heart? Have you turned from your sins, confessed Him before men, been baptized for the remission of sins? If not, will you not try to make your calling and election sure? The same God who calls you to serve Him tells you this is the accepted time—this is the day of salvation. What promise can you offer yourself in staying away? Why not yield to the truth, obey the same that your calling and election may become sure?