Come Unto Me [antikvár]

JANUARY ITO BE OR NOT TO BEThen Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts 26:28.On this first day of the new year, 1969, let us place first things first. "To be or not to be," that is the question. To be a Christian is to be. Agrippa said unto Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me." "Almost sweet is unsavory; almost hot is lukewarm; almost a Christian is like Micah, who thought himself religious enough because he had gotten a priest into his house; almost a Christian is like Ananias, who brought a part but left a part behind; almost a Christian is like Eli's sons, who took more than their share of the sacrifices, like the fig tree which deceived Christ with leaves, like the virgins with lamps without oil."A pious old man was one day walking to the sanctuary with a New Testament in his hand when a friend greeted him, "Good morning!""Ah, good morning," replied he. "I am reading my Father's will as I walk along.""Well, what has He left you?" asked his friend."Why, He has bequeathed me a hundredfold more in this life, and in the world to come life everlasting."When Dr. Judson went on his missionary journeys through the villages and jungles of the poor benighted Karens, he was called by the natives, "Jesus Christ's man." What a distinction for us to covet on this first day of this new year."And the Spirit and the bride say. Come. And let him that heareth say. Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17). This gracious invitation comes from One who demonstrated in a manner that cannot be contradicted that He loves us with an everlasting love. His life of constant tormre at the hands of His enemies. His death at Calvary for our sins. His invitation sealed in His own blood, "Come vmto me," should find a response in every heart.On this day let there be a renewal of Christian vows by those who have already accepted Christ as Saviour, and a remrn to the foot of the cross by all those who have denied the faith.JANUARY 2WHEN GOD TOOK A CHANCEChoose you this day whom ye will serve. Joshua 24:15.Faced with the problem of making man, God had two alternatives. He could make man in such a way that he would have to serve Him; that is, without the power of choice. Or He could make him a free moral agent with a sovereign will. But what if man should use his will against his Creator? Why not play safe, make a puppet and be sure? But a wise and loving God wants no extracted affection. Man's praise must be freely offered; love without coercion.That man is free to decide his destiny few will deny. "To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey" (Rom. 6:16). Notice, "ye yield yourselves." Concerning the sin of Adam and Eve in Eden, Adam said: "7 did eat" (Gen. 3:12). Eve said: "And I did eat" (verse 13). Each was personally responsible for his action, for each made a decision. And this is true of each of us. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). The power to decide is God-given. To surrender the will to Him and exercise it to His glory is the prime virtue.Pressures affecting the will are many and continuous. Our own human nature is not the least of these strong influences. Add to this the additional pressure of a sin-charged environment. And, of course, there is always a personal devil to tempt and deceive. These are the negative forces that war against the spirit. Only through watchfulness and prayer may they be overcome. Daily submission to the will of Christ, a Heaven-directed will, is the secret of successful living.When General Lee was coming up Chambersburg Road to Gettysburg, a young Pennsylvanián lass grabbed a poker and started down the road to meet the enemy. Lee came right on, and at that place a decisive battle was fought.Later at a quilting party, Mrs. Bamberger said to Hannah, "What did you expect to do with that poker against the Southern army?"Replied Hannah, "Nothing, except to let them know what side I was on."Which side are you on? The right or the wrong? There is no middle ground, no in between. The power to decide is yours.