Part 2

BLESSED is the man that *walketh not in the council of the ungodly*, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

_Psalms 1:1._

HE that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but *a companion of fools shall be destroyed*.

_Proverbs 13:20._

Christian Living. *Results of Keeping CLOSE to CHRIST.*

- Your *own soul* will be enriched. - Persons will be *saved*. - Christians will be *built up*. - Your church will become *aggressive*. - The word of God will be *honored*. - Jesus Christ will be *glorified*. - The Holy Ghost *will not be grieved*. - You will be *ready* for any work. - You will be *devoted* to Jesus Christ. - You will be *successful* because faithful. - New *methods* will be used. - Your *influence* will be more telling. - Your life will be *less selfish*. - Your *expectations* will be more heavenly. - Your *joy* will be more abiding. - Your *hope* will be brighter. - Your *courage* more undaunted. - Your *service* more acceptable to God. - In life you will be *active*; in death you will be *ready*; in heaven you will *shine*.

*Some PROMISES to encourage us.*

TAKE my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall *find rest unto your souls*.

FOR my *yoke is easy*, and my burden is *light*.

_Matthew 11:29—30._

BUT if we *walk in the light*, as he is in the light, *we have fellowship* one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

_I John 1:7._

DRAW nigh *to God*, and he *will draw* nigh to you.

_James 4:8._

CAST thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall *never suffer the righteous to be moved*.

_Psalms 55:22._

THOU wilt *keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee*.

_Isaiah 26:3._

Christian Living. *Results FOLLOWING repentance and faith.*

Through coming to Christ a man,

*1st. Becomes a CHILD OF GOD.*

BUT as many as *received Him* (Christ), to *them gave* he *power* to *become* the *sons* of God.

_John 1:12._

*2nd. Has Everlasting LIFE*.

VERILY, *verily*, I say unto you, he that *heareth my word, and believeth on Him* that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgment); but is *passed from death unto life*.

_John 5:24._

*3rd. Receives the HOLY SPIRIT*.

THEN Peter said unto them, *Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins*, and ye shall receive the *gift* of the Holy Ghost.

_Acts 2:38._

*4th. Has FELLOWSHIP with others*.

THEN they that gladly received his word were *baptized*: and the same day there *were added* unto them about *three thousand souls*.

AND they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

_Acts 2:41—42._

*5th. Has God’s PROMISES*.

WHEREBY are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises.

_II Peter 1:4._

*6th. Is called to SERVICE*.

FOR the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work.

_Mark 13:34._

*7th. Possesses HEAVEN*.

IN my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to *prepare a place for you*.

_John 14:2_

Church, The- *Must I JOIN to be a Christian?*

Do not join the Church unless you are saved—If you are saved, you will *want to join the church*, and you can not live as useful a life out of the church as in it, and the church needs your help.

THEN they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were *added unto them* about three thousand souls.

_Acts 2:41._

AND they *continued steadfastly* in the apostles’ *doctrine* and *fellowship*, and in the *breaking of bread*, and in *prayers*.

_Acts 2:42._

AND they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and *breaking bread from house to house*, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.

_Acts 2:46._

PRAISING God, and having favor with all the people. *And the Lord added unto the church daily such as should be saved*.

_Acts 2:47._

ONE shall say, I am the Lord’s; . . . and another shall *subscribe with his hand unto the Lord*.

_Isaiah 44:5._

NOT *forsaking the assembling of ourselves together*, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

_Hebrews 10:25._

The Church is the best institution on earth, because established by Christ— When you fight the church, you are striking at Jesus Christ, as the church is His bride.

THEY shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us *join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant* that shall *not be forgotten*.

_Jeremiah 50:5._

Confession. *Confusing Christ PUBLICLY.*

*Confess* Christ, or He will *deny* us.

WHOSOEVER therefore shall *confess me before men*, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall *deny me* before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

_Matthew 10:32-33_

WHOSOEVER therefore shall be *ashamed of me and of my words* in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall *the Son of man be ashamed*.

_Mark 8:38._

THAT if thou *shalt confess with thy mouth* (not your influence) the *Lord Jesus*, and *shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved*.

_Romans 10:9._

ALSO I say unto you, *whosoever shall confess me before men*, him shall the Son of man confess before the angels of God: But he that *denieth me before men* shall be denied before the angels of God.

_Luke 12:8-9._

We should confess Christ, not only to *honor Him*, but because of the *influence we may have on others*.

ONE of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew Simon Peter’s brother.

He first findeth his own brother Simon and *saith unto him, we have found the Messias*, which is, being interpreted, the Christ, and he *brought him to Jesus*.

_John 1:40—42._

NEVERTHELESS among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but *because of the Pharisees they did not confess him*, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they *loved the praise of men* more than the praise of God.

_John 12:42—43._

Illustration: Mark 5:15-20

Consecration.

I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye *present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God*, which is your reasonable service.

_Romans 12:1._

“Consecration means to be willing to be anything, or nothing, to go anywhere, or everywhere, at any time or at all times for God.”

LET us *lay aside every weight*, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

LOOKING unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

_Hebrews 12:1-2._

WHETHER therefore ye *eat*, or *drink*, or *whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God*.

_I Corinthians 10:31._

AND whatsoever *ye do in word or deed, do all in the name* of the *Lord Jesus*, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

_Colossians 3:17._

Dear Savior, help me every day To live more nearly as I pray; I would walk daily by thy side, And trust in thee whate’er betide.

Help me to live so near to thee Thy likeness may be seen in me; Make me so gentle, kind and true That I will do as thou wouldst do.

To win some precious souls for thee. My errand here on earth would be; And every day till thou shalt come To do some good, to help some one.

Frequently ask your heart if you are doing the will of God.

Accustom yourself to do everything in the name of Jesus Christ, as His disciple.

See that every day shall be marked by at least one special work of love.

Wherever you go, inwardly pray that you do no evil, but be the *means of some good*.

Christ. *His Deity.*

One of the proofs that Christ is the Son of God, is the fact that we have several titles *applied to Christ in the New Testament* that are *applied to Jehovah* in the *Old Testament*.

THE word which God sent unto the children of Israel, *preaching peace by Jesus Christ*: (He is Lord of all).

_Acts 10:36._

BUT we speak the wisdom of God *in a mystery*, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they *would not have crucified the Lord of glory*.

_I Corinthians 2:7—8._

AND Thomas answered and said unto him, *My Lord and my God*. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. . . . But these are written, that ye *might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God*; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

_John 20:28-29, 31._

WHOSOEVER believeth *that Jesus is the Christ is born of God*: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. . . . Who is he that *overcometh* the world, but he *that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God*?

_I John 5:1, 5._

WHO *is a liar* but *he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ*? He is anti-christ, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever *denieth the Son*, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father *also*.

_I John 2:22-23._

Christian Science. *Its NON-CHRISTIAN character.*

“Christian Science" is nothing new. It is a mixture of exploded theories and issues of the ancient world. Moreover, it is neither "Christian" nor “Science” for both the personality of Christ and matter are denied, and there could he no Christ without personality nor science without matter. This unscientific cult is not only not Christian but it denies many truths of the Bible.

*1st. A personal God.*

The second article in the platform of Christian Science says, “God is mind. He is divine principle, *not person*,” “He and the universe are the same," or “He is the ‘substance’ and the universe and man are ‘manifestations.’ ”

The Christian says:

OUR *Father* which art in heaven.

_Matthew 6:9._

*2nd. Christ and His Atonement.*

Though they sometimes speak of Christ as a great metaphysician, they maintain that there is *no real body*, and if no body, then no suffering—therefore Christ did not suffer on the cross.

*3rd. Sin.*

The belief that you have *no real body* enables you to dispose of the question of sin. If the body is only a phantom then sin would only be the phantom of a phantom; an easy way for a sinner to relieve himself of personal responsibility to God.

*4th. A personal devil.*

Mrs. Eddy says, “A lie is all the devil there is.” Vol. 2, Page 85. See scripture pages 104

and 118.

*5th. The reality of prayer.*

They have something that corresponds to prayer, but their text-book says, “Prayer to a personal God is an hindrance."

The following are a few of the many scriptures which have reference to the folly of such heresies:

HEREBY know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that *confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God*.

_I John 4:2._

Christian Science. *God warns AGAINST It.*

AND every spirit that *confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God*: and this is that *spirit* of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is in the world.

_I John 4:3._

FOR he hath *made him to be sin for us*, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

_II Corinthians 5:21._

FOR many *deceivers are entered into the world*, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

_II John 1:7._

WHO his *own self bare our sins in his own body* on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

_I Peter 2:24._

AND almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and *without shedding of blood is no remission*.

_Hebrews 9:22._

MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, *I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity*.

_Matthew 7:22-23._

FOR the *mystery of iniquity* doth already work; only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that *Wicked be revealed*, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and *shall destroy with the brightness of his coming*.

_II Thessalonians 2:7-8._

AND no marvel; for *Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light*.

_II Corinthians 11:14._

Conversions. *Instantaneous. Bible EXAMPLES.*

*God says you can be saved AT ONCE.*

*LOOK unto me*, and *be ye saved*, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

_Isaiah 45:22._

*The Jailer believed, and was saved the SAME NIGHT*.

AND they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou *shalt be saved*, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

_Acts 16:31-32._

The thief believed and was saved the *same day*.

AND he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, *To day shalt thou be with me in paradise*.

_Luke 23:42-43._

The woman believed and was saved the *same hour*.

AND he said unto her, *Thy sins are forgiven*. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, *Thy faith hath saved thee;* go in peace.

_Luke 7:48-50._

*God wants you to turn from your sins*.

LET the wicked *forsake his way*, and the unrighteous man *his thoughts*: and let him *return unto the Lord*, and he *will* have mercy upon him: *and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon*.

_Isaiah 55:7._

Jesus will forgive your sins and save if you will *ask and obey*.

HE . . . that believeth, *hath* (not will have) everlasting life.

_John 5:24._

HIM that cometh to *me, I will in no wise cast out*.

_John 6:37._

Doubter. *One who is HONEST.*

*“HOW MAY I KNOW THERE IS A GOD?"*

AND the *word was made flesh*, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.

_John 1:14._

NO man hath seen God at any time, the *only begotten Son* which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared him.

_John 1:18._

JESUS saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed, blessed are they that *have not seen and yet have believed*.

_John 20:29._

BUT these are *written*, that ye might *believe* that *Jesus* is the *Christ*, the *Son of God*; and that *believing* ye might have *life through His name*.

_John 20:31._

IF any man will do *His will*, he *shall know* of the *doctrine*, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

_John 7:17._

HE that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, *because ye are not of God*.

_John 8:47._

THEN saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou being a Jew askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealing with the Samaritans.

_John 4:9._

BELIEVEST thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself, but the *Father that dwelleth in me*, He doeth the works.

_John 14:10._

BELIEVE me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

_John 14:11._

AND whatsoever ye shall ask in *my name, that will I do*, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

_John 14:13._

Excuses. *I am a MEMBER of the church.*

Church membership *alone does not save any one*. Jesus made this act very plain that there must be more than a cold profession of religion.

*NOT every one that saith unto me, Lord*, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; *but he that doeth the will of my Father* which is in heaven.

_Matthew 7:21._

*MANY will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord*, have we not *prophesied in thy name*? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? and then will I profess unto them, *I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity*.

_Matthew 7:22-23._

THEREFORE whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, *and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock*.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and *it fell*: and *great was the fall of it*.

_Matthew 7:24-27._

The great question is, *Have I been born of God*, and am I *showing by my life* that I am a child of God?

JESUS answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, *except a man be BORN AGAIN, he* cannot see the kingdom of God.

_John 3:3._

Excuses. *I am GOOD ENOUGH.*

You may *think* you are, but *God does not*.

He says you are a sinner!

*FOR all have sinned*, and come short of the glory of God.

_Romans 3:23._

AS it is written, *There is none* righteous, no, *not one*.

_Romans 3:10._

FOR there is *not a just man upon earth*, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

_Ecclesiastes 7:20._

ALL we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned *every one* to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

_Isaiah 53:6._

AND he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. *I fast twice in the week*, I *give tithes* of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, *God be merciful to me a sinner*. I tell you, *this man* went down to his house *justified rather than the other*: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that *humbleth himself shall be exalted*.

_Luke 18:9-14._

Not only would God show you that *you are a sinner*, but He would warn you of the *consequences* of sin, and the *judgement that follows.*

THE wages of sin is *death*.

_Romans 6:23._

THE soul that sinneth *it shall die*.

_Ezekiel 18:4_

BE sure your sin *will find you out*.

_Numbers 32:23._

Excuses. *I am NOT very bad.*

THERE is *no difference*: For *all have sinned*.

_Romans 3:22-23._

THEY are *all gone aside*, they are *all together become filthy*: there is *none that doeth good*, no, not one.

_Psalms 14:3._

THERE IS *not a just man upon earth*, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

_Ecclesiastes 7:20._

FOR as many as are of the work of the law are under the curse: for it is written, *Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things* which are written in the book of the law *to do them*.

_Galatians 3:10._

Let me ask you, have you kept all of God’s law? You say, “no, of course not; no one has.” Very good; your admitting that you have failed convicts you, for we read.

*WHOSOEVER* shall keep the *whole law*, and yet offend in *one point*, he is *guilty of all*.

_James 2:10._

Break *one* link in your chain, and your anchor goes to the bottom as quickly as it would if ten links were broken. Break *one* of God’s Commandments, and you are *under the curse* of a broken law as truly as you would be if you broke all of them. While there are *degrees* of sin, there is *no difference* as to the fact of guilt before God.

AND he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; *but God knoweth your hearts*: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

_Luke 16:15._

Do you keep God’s greatest Commandment?

THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with *all* thy heart, and with *all* thy soul, and with all thy mind.

_Matthew 22:37-38._

BUT the Scripture hath concluded *all under sin*.

_Galatians 3:22._

Illustration: Luke 18:10-14.

Excuses. *I am NOT GOOD ENOUGH to be a Christian.*

Jesus came to *save sinners*, and not the righteous!

BUT when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, *They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick*. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to *call the righteous, but sinners* to repentance.

_Matthew 9:12-13._

NOT by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

_Titus 3:5._

*LET the wicked forsake his way* (that’s your part), *and the unrighteous man his thoughts* (that’s your part): *and let him return unto the Lord* (that’s your part), and He will have *mercy* upon him; and to our God, for *He will abundantly pardon*. (God’s part.)

_Isaiah 55:7._

FOR the Son of Man is come *to seek* and *to save* that *which was lost*.

_Luke 19:10._

COME now and let us *reason together*, saith the Lord; though your *sins* be *as scarlet*, they shall be as *white* as *snow*; though they be red like *crimson*, they *shall be as wool*.

_Isaiah 1:18._

THIS is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to *save sinners*; of whom *I am the chief*.

_I Timothy 1:15._

*IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins*.

_I John 1:9._

*ALL* that the Father giveth me shall *come* to me; and him that *cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.*

_John 6:37._

Read: Mark 2:17; Ephesians 2:8, 9.

Illustration, Mark 5:25-34.

Excuses. *I am TOO GREAT a sinner.*

It is refreshing to find one who feels that he is a great sinner, as most people have a *very good opinion of themselves*. When one sees his or her sins, and cries to God, he or she has every assurance that there is forgiveness.

THIS is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world *to save sinners; of whom I am chief*.

_I Timothy 1:15._

FOR the Son of man is *come to seek and save that which was lost*.

_Luke 19:10._

The fact that you are a sinner assures you that you *may be saved*, because Christ came to save sinners; and if you confess and forsake sin you have God’s Word for it that *you are forgiven*.

LET the wicked *forsake his way*, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and *let him return unto the Lord*, and *He will have mercy* upon him; and to our God, for *He will abundantly pardon*.

_Isaiah 55:7._

HE that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but *whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy*.

_Proverbs 28:13._

FOR *whosoever* shall *call* upon the name of the Lord *shall be saved*.

_Romans 10:13._

*WHOSOEVER will*, let him *take* the *water* of life freely.

_Revelation 22:17._

“*Whosoever* means any one, and *you too*."

HIM that cometh to *me I will in no wise cast out*.

_John 6:37._

Here is the plain promise that “*if you come*”, you *will not* be “cast out.” Will you come?

WHEREFORE He is able also to *save them to the uttermost* that come unto God by him.

_Hebrews 7:25._

If you are among the “uttermost” ones, *come now* and rejoice in a full salvation.

Illustration: John 4:7-30.

Excuses. *Not now.*

COME; for all things are *now ready*.

_Luke 14:17._