Credulous Simpletons # 2 (and others)

Credulous Simpletons # 2 (and others)

"A prudent man gives thought to his steps." Observe well the tense of the verb: it is not that he is concerned about the matter and then takes stock once and for all. No, he continues to be exercised before God as to the state of his soul. The simple may rest satisfied with the fact that they believed on Christ so many years ago, but the prudent are tender about their present relation to God. They realize that nothing but an obedient following of Christ now, a walking with Him now, a communing with Him now, furnishes any satisfactory proof that they were born again at a certain date in the past.

"A prudent man gives thought to his steps." Yes, he not only examines diligently his heart, but he is deeply concerned about his "steps." Instead of complacently assuming that the warning belongs unto others, he is filled with alarm when he reads that, "There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12). Is it possible that, after all, he may be deceived? Yes, very, very possible; yes, exceedingly likely. Such a soul, truly awakened by the Holy Spirit, can have no rest until he makes sure that he is in the "narrow way" which leads unto life, and which FEW indeed find.

Reader, which are you: a credulous simpleton, or a prudent soul that "gives thought" to your going? If the former, may it please the Lord to shatter your false peace, and make you feel your imminent danger. If the latter, may the Holy Spirit grant increasing diligence to "make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10).

~George Everard~
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Dreadful and Murderous Cruelty!

What genuine believer can for a moment question whether his children's eternal salvation ought to be the supreme solicitude of his heart?

If we look to the great bulk of mankind it is perfectly evident that true religion hardly enters into their view. They are very willing that their children should go to church; but as to any concern for the religious character, and the formation of pious habits - they are as destitute of everything of this kind, as if religion were a mere fable, or were nothing more than a mere form. Their chief object is either elegant and fashionable accomplishments, or learning and science - and provided their children excel in these, they never make any inquiry or feel any concern whether they fear God. They would be not only surprised, but would either laugh you to scorn, or scowl upon you with indignation, for proposing such fanatical questions in reference to their children! Yes, this is the way of the greater part of parents, even in this religious country. To train them up to shine and make a figure in society, is all they seek.

~John Angell James~
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The Surest Guide to Success In This World

What is your life, but a voyage to eternity!

A life altogether unprepared for, must be a life of perpetual mistakes, faults, and miseries.

The chief preparation for life is the formation of a moral and spiritual character. Genuine piety, the parent of sound morality, is the surest guide to success in this world. And as true religion is the best guide to happiness in this world, likewise it is the only way to happiness in the world to come.

True piety will preserve you from all the habits which tend to poverty and misery - and aid the formation of all habits which tend to usefulness and happiness.

~John Angell James~
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The Idol Of Our Day!

One of the evils of our age, is an excessive love of pleasure, which leads to self-indulgence, and indisposes the mind for sober thought and true piety. Love of pleasure is one of the growing tendencies of the day in which we live, and threatens infinite damage to the present and eternal welfare of mankind, by bringing on an age of frivolity, sensuality and practical atheism.

Find your pleasure, young men in the improvement of your mind, in attention to duties, in true piety, and in active benevolence. Is there not scope enough for enjoyment here?

Excessive worldliness is another of the dangers of this age. In our wealthy and materialistic country, there is most imminent peril of sinking into the mere worldling, and living only to get wealth. Never was there so great a danger of having the conscience benumbed, moral principles prostrated, the heart rendered callous, the intellect emptied of its strength, as in the age in which we live!

Wealth is the idol of our day! Without watchfulness and prayer, you are in danger of bowing devoutly at its shrine, becoming its worshipers, and immolating your souls as a burnt-offering on its altars!

~John Angell James~
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A Bad Word!

"We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall" (Prov. 16:33).

"Luck!" There is no such thing in our world, none in nature, none in human affairs.

Luck means that an event has no cause at all. It is a bad word - a heathen term. Drop it from your vocabulary! Trust nothing to luck, and expect nothing from it. Avoid all practical dependence upon it or its kindred words fate, chance, fortune.

Never forget your dependence upon God. He can exalt you to prosperity - or sink you into the lowest depth of adversity. He can make everything to which you set your hand to prosper - or to fail. Devoutly acknowledge this. Abhor the atheism that shuts God out of His own world!

~John Angell James~