FIRST ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
TAFT RD. and KEMPER LANE
CINCINNATI
Are you SURE?
ECONOMIC SECURITY and political liberty occupy the attention of large numbers of people in these chaotic times. And there is nothing wrong in studying economics and politics. But there is something very wrong when attention to such matters prevents one from thinking about God and the life after death.
Very few people definitely believe that there is no God; but hordes of people act as though God does not affect their lives. By refusing or neglecting to worship God they act as if they thought that God would not punish their neglect either in this world or in the next.
When did you last worship God? When did you last spend fifteen minutes thinking about God and the life after death? Of course, if there is no future life, it is a waste of time to think about it. But are you sure?
ARE YOU SURE that God neither rewards nor punishes? The Christian belief is that he does. Suppose that belief is true. Then where do you stand? Have you been assuming without evidence that death ends all? Do you blindly swallow communistic propaganda against Christianity? Are you influenced by the superficial intelligentsia who claim to be broad-minded? What evidence have they given you that you will not be called upon to stand before God’s judgment throne? Do you act as if there were no God? Then you have been running an enormous risk. You had better make sure. You have eternal life to gain, and eternal punishment to lore.
Suppose that now you have put aside the superficial attitude of smart society. Suppose that that now you are forming a weak resolve to think about God as well as about economics and politics. Do you know how a man ought to worship God? Ought you to get down on your knees and pray? If so, what is the proper form of address to the Creator of the universe? Do you tell him how good you are and what attainments you have made? Do you suggest that God would do well to people heaven with men like you?
Or ought you to be conscious of you limitations? Ought you to regret your neglect of God? Ought you to admit that you have broken his laws, that you have incurred his displeasure, that you are guilty before him, and that you deserve to be punished?
THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGASINT THEM THAT DO EVIL… (Psalm 34:16)
HOW THEN can a man who has offended God come into his presence? There is a clear cut answer to all such questions. God sent his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross. He suffered there the penalty that we ought to have borne. He took our punishment that we might go free. He shed his blood to cleanse us of sin. In dying on the cross he was our substitute. And it is only by recognizing Christ’s death as the substitute for our death that we can come to God, obtain forgiveness for sin, and ultimately be received into glory with him.
Jesus said: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME. (John 14:6)
Sinful man can come to God only through Jesus Christ, that is, by believing and trusting Christ’s death as a sacrifice designed to propitiate God toward us. In Christ alone may we be reconciled to God. Only by accepting Christ as our substitute can we obtain eternal life.
THEN REPENT of your sins, as Christ’s ministers implore you, accept Jesus as Lord of your life, and join with those who sing
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”
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