The Divine Word and the conscience.
I. LOVING THE SOUND OF THE GOSPEL, BUT NOT THE GOSPEL ITSELF. There is silver music in the message of reconciliation to man's distracted heart; but the call to repentance as the necessary condition of peace, this is discordant with passion and self-will. And there are grave errors here. Some suppose that the gospel renders the moral law superfluous; others, that the freedom of the conscience under the gospel means license; others take faithful reproof as personal affront; many are under the dominion of sense, and the will is captive to the lusts of the flesh.
II. WHY MANY NEVER BECOME SERIOUS CHRISTIANS.
1. They have not the resolution for thorough repentance, to break utterly with the evil past.
2. They neglect the acceptable time and the day of salvation. "The golden grace of the day" flees, and never comes back to them.
3. They thrust aside the thought of judgment to come. Though they know the vanity of the world, they are too indolent to tear themselves from its deceptive pleasures. Disgusted with the hateful bondage of sin, they are too weak to break off their fetters. Superficial impressions are felt, but frivolity admits no deep impressions.
III. THE EXCUSES OF THE SINNER.
1. Certain subjects are not in good taste. Speak to me of everything but that! Generalize on virtue and goodness, but let my favorite weaknesses or vices alone!
2. Procrastination. "Tomorrow!"
"To-morrow and to-morrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death."
"Procrastination is the thief of time.
Year after year it steals till all are fled,
And to the mercies of a moment leaves
The vast concerns of an eternal time."
The time of repentance is now and always for him who is willing. For God is ever calling, inwardly and outwardly; in every circumstance time can be found to obey. But never for him who cannot find it seasonable to listen to God at any time. "Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me, and shall die in yore' sins" (John 8:21).
IV. AN EXAMPLE OF GENUINE PREACHING.
1. He speaks of repentance and its fruits; justice towards our neighbor; personal purity; sober recollection of the Divine judgment.
2. Its powers. The preacher is a slight and insignificant man, yet he makes the powerful magistrate tremble. He is bound in one sense, yet in another free, and the lord is the real slave. He is the accused; yet quickly he changes parts with Felix. Paul is the hero in the light of truth and of eternity, Felix the coward and the abject. If we are on the side of truth, the Word of God becomes a sword in our hand. If we are opposed to it, we must be fatally pierced by it.—J.
HOMILIES BY R.A. REDFORD