The Book's Purpose

• Define practically the difference between professing Christians and real Christians
• Highlight the effect of doctrine upon one’s practice of morality
• Explain the misunderstanding professing Christians have of the uniqueness, beauty, and fundamentals of the Christian faith

The Book's Message

The true means of societal transformation lies not in the power of politics, but in the doctrine and practice of true Christianity. Unfortunately, true Christianity is challenged by nominally professing Christians who abandon Scripture and substitute man-made religion in its place. We must test ourselves, lest our faith be found wanting.

Inadequate Conceptions of the Importance of Christianity

When we observe the state of Christianity today, we note two classes of Christians: professing Christians and true Christians. Both generally approve what is good and condemn what is not.

But looking past the surface, we find that professing Christians “at best pay homage to religion in general~perhaps to mere morality.” In fact, they know little of true Christianity. Their concept of it is superficial, having noted only the outward differences between it and other religions.

One good way to distinguish between a true Christian and a professing Christian is to weigh the differences between a professing believer and an acknowledged unbeliever. A professing Christian inherits his beliefs passively through his upbringing, perhaps. When his faith is challenged, and the premises upon which it is founded are undermined, there is little to keep him from abandoning the doctrines that are essential to its health.

What is more, when listening to the thoughts and speech of the professing Christian, it is clear that Christianity has little place in his daily life. “It scarcely finds a place amid the many objects of [his] hopes and fears, [his] joys and sorrows.” He fails to recognize that all he has is a result of God’s providence.

When a professing Christian displays earnest religion, he typically adheres to his own standard of right and wrong~a standard that does not accurately reflect the standard of the gospel. His morality is based on commonly held principles of Christianity rather than a careful inquiry into the Scriptures. He is voluntarily ignorant of what the Scriptures teach, so his morality is external and superficial.

A true Christian makes a careful study of the Scriptures because he is aware of the value God’s Word places upon itself. Yet far too often he is cold and indifferent to its richness.

The true Christian approaches the Scriptures as revelation, and he recognizes their absolute authority over his life.

The professing Christian builds his morality apart from revelation and according to his reason. From such a position he falls into two common errors: The practice of a man is more important than what he believes. And sincerity is the most important motive. These errors find their root in assuming man will not be held accountable before God for his deeds, for he has not been given sufficient clarity to discern what God accepts and what God rejects. Then, it is assumed that man’s beliefs do not affect his practice.

Thus the professing Christian neutralizes the distinction between himself and those who give great care to root out every false motive from their hearts as they strive to obey the commands of God. It places on equal footing the careful, diligent Christian and the person who follows his own opinions of morality and misunderstands the effect of his beliefs upon the acceptability of his deeds before God.

This being the case, the professing Christian elevates sincerity as the highest motive. As long as one proceeds in his religious practice in sincerity, he could hardly be held accountable for being wrong on particulars of doctrine. However, Scripture offers an abundance of stories illustrating that many have committed great trespasses against God while sincerely convinced of their integrity. In such cases, these were guilty before God, though sincere, because of their ignorance of what God had already revealed.

The true Christian esteems the Scriptures as God’s Word and believes that God has made clear His wishes. “Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you” (Luke 11:9). The sincere inquirer is confident God has revealed His commands and strives to know them so he may obey.

When called by God to give an account, as inevitably he must, the true Christian is found faithful for obeying what his Master commanded. The professing Christian has only the sincere practice of his own brand of morality.

Inadequate Conceptions of Human Nature

Most professing Christians, having then disassociated themselves from Scripture, develop their own concepts about human nature. Naturally, the majority of them minimize the wickedness and weakness of the constitution of mankind. They will acknowledge the prevalence of wrongdoing and vice. They properly understand that there is great misery in man’s current state. However, they will not acknowledge how deep the problem goes. In short, they will not believe what Scripture says regarding the condition of man. Instead, they hold to the dignity and purity of man at his root. While man is occasionally, even often, misled or tricked into violating the principles of morality, this misleading or trickery is thought of as accidental or habitual.

The true Christian, however, holds a very different view. From Scripture he learns that man is in active rebellion against God. He is fallen and inclines toward evil at all times. His very heart is corrupt, and such corruption dictates every affection, every decision, and every inclination. “The truth of this forcibly comes home to us when we contrast the remains of our primitive dignity with our present state of moral degradation.”

Consider man’s natural inventiveness: his ability to think, consider, discern, and compare. How he appreciates moral excellence. And yet, observe how perverted his creativity, clouded his reason, and senseless his conscience! Think upon the highest civilizations in world history: those advanced in government, philosophy, and learning. Then note the ridiculous superstitions, absence of natural affections, self-indulgent excess, heartless oppression, and savage cruelty! All such inconsistency is summed up by the apostle Paul: “Because they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, He gave them over to a reprobate mind” (Romans 1:28).

Proof of man’s depravity abounds, not just in the depth of his fallen nature, but especially in the lives of true Christians. Despite the excellence of God’s law, the beauties of the gospel, and the enlightening affect of God’s truth, consider the difficulty of progressing in righteousness even for the true Christian! Consider how easily even the true Christian falls into evil habits!

Do the Holy Scriptures confirm that man is indeed utterly and hopelessly ruined if left to himself? Indeed, “in almost every page, we shall find something that is calculated to bring down man’s loftiness and to silence his pretensions.” They speak of man’s need for a complete change in nature to become a true Christian.

Unfortunately for man, the Bible speaks also of another enemy. While man lives with a great enemy within himself, there also exists apart from him an enemy who seeks his very life. He is taught of the devil who exists as the ruler of this age and of the hearts of men without Christ.

The professing Christian, however, abandons the reality of such an evil creature. He holds such a being to be the product of superstition, to be beneath the dignity of those who are so enlightened today.

It is for these reasons that such a disparity exists between true and professing Christians, for unless man realizes the depth of his wickedness and depravity before a holy and just God, he has no use for the gospel. If man is a noble and good creature who sometimes falls into sin, then he needs no saving. But the true Christian, who believes in the wickedness of man and especially the wickedness of his own heart, and who understands the just requirements of a holy God, knows that he is hopeless in his condition and that he is simply waiting for the day of condemnation unless some good news comes.

Man is accountable for his actions and will be held accountable to God. The proud man resists these truths, seeking instead somehow to justify himself and shift the blame either to his weak constitution or to God for making man as he is in the first place.

It is far better for the real Christian to understand man’s depravity, feel it in himself, accept his fault in the transgression of the law of God, and cry out for mercy! For the good news is that God, being rich in mercy, has given Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind. If man will not accept the revelation of man’s depravity, he will see no need for the forgiveness of his sins. This deserves consideration by all aware of the short time during which one must reconcile with God. If one will know the weight of his guilt, then he will know the sentiment expressed by Milton in Paradise Lost:

What better can we do than prostrate fall Before Him reverent; and there confess Humbly our faults, and pardon beg; with tears Watering the ground, and with our sighs the air Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign Of sorrow unfeigned, and humiliation meek?

Inadequate Conceptions of God and Christian Behavior

When a true Christian comes to terms with the reality of his sinfulness, the basic doctrines of the Bible move him deeply. He is aware of his corruption, yet he understands that he is chosen and loved by his all-powerful and merciful God. He is overjoyed at the invitation to a place of rest, forgiveness, and peace. The professing Christian, having no knowledge of his sinfulness nor foundation for his belief, takes these doctrines for granted. The doctrines of grace and God’s offers of help have little meaning, for man is not so helpless in his opinion. Indeed, his whole conception of Christianity loses its potency, leaving him with an inadequate appreciation of many of its core tenets. For example, many admire the moral conduct of Jesus Christ. They extol his simplicity, tenderness, self-denial, and submission to death. But can these conducts mean anything to man personally? These traits are often observed with little interest each Sunday, when they are forgotten until the next week. However, when one considers his own depravity, he realizes that Christ’s expression of these traits in life and in death was for his benefit, and he is moved beyond words and cut to the heart at such love. It is impossible for the true Christian to coldly hear of the tender love of Christ and His perfect sacrifice. Or, consider the efforts of man-kind in redeeming himself. A rejection of the depravity of man leaves open the door to attaining righteousness through works. The Holy Spirit, sent to comfort us and aid us in the pursuit of righteousness, is reduced to irrelevance.

Consider also the difficulty professing Christians create in diluting the witness of Christians. Many people have done heinous acts in the name of Christianity, and it is difficult to validate anyone’s claim to belong to Christ. However, whatever hypocrisy professing Christians may manifest, it is imperative that true Christians work diligently to follow Christ and prove through their faultless conduct the truth of their beliefs. Some professing Christians might justify their lack of zeal by minimizing the importance of emotion in following Christ. They justify their beliefs by claiming such emotions degrade respectful worship. However, it is seen by natural reason and by revelation that man’s emotions are indeed useful tools in the worship of God. His emotions are given to him and pervade his soul. Throughout Scripture man is called to yield his heart to God, love Him, believe Him, thank Him, serve Him, and hope in Him. Furthermore, the Bible condemns lukewarmness in the strongest terms. But characters in Scripture upheld as examples to us are warm, affectionate, and zealous. Consider especially Paul, who was as zealous and passionate in his defense of and sacrifice for the cause of the gospel as he was in his persecution of it.

Whereas the measure of one’s zeal does not determine the validity of his profession, for zeal and passion may be manufactured or misapplied, it is impossible that one’s faith should be cold and lifeless. Rather, the proof of one’s faith ought to rest in the display of his love for God. And how is that love manifested?

Another failure of professing Christians is that they tend to form for themselves a system of religion rather than looking to God’s Word. Because they do not realize the sickness of their own soul, having rejected the depravity of man, they fail to understand how deceitful their own hearts are. Man needs the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit to purify, guide, and direct his actions and thoughts. Indeed, he is to be made into a new creature, having put off the old man. He should fear to grieve God through disobedience, realizing that he cannot please God without His aid.

Above all, the professing Christian should be asked what forms the basis of the sinner’s acceptance by God. Far too often, man~in his ignorance of God’s Word~claims for himself far too little guilt. Then, regarding the guilt he does have, he, justifies his deeds and deems himself worthy of acceptance. Some also claim that, having been accepted by Christ, they will be judged by a more lenient standard. This allows them to rely upon their attainment of a lesser standard, relieving them of their responsibility of trusting completely in the merits of Christ. In short, they allow themselves the right to trust in their own, albeit reduced, righteousness. They are then free to find and admire good qualities within themselves, and once again are free to validate by their own experience the general goodness of mankind. Because they have never renounced reliance upon their own strength, they fail to find their true weakness in attaining righteousness. They are blinded to their pride and deceived in their faith. They are the victims of their own misconceptions of Christianity that stem from their ignorance of what God has revealed to them.

Having considered these dangers, man should ask himself whether he has fled to and clung to Christ as his only comfort. If so, he should constantly remind himself of his deep need for a Savior to save him from his sinfulness. He should humbly beg his forgiveness through Christ. He should seek from Christ a true heart of repentance, for only He can give it. Further, man should strive for complete sincerity in his belief. He should add to his love of the Lord daily and pray to be continually filled with the joy of the Lord. Then, he may work wholeheartedly toward increasing his knowledge and understanding of God’s Word and ways, daily spending time in His presence and habitually submitting his thoughts and hearts to Him.

Inadequate Conceptions Concerning Practical Christianity

The professing Christian bases his faith on the fact that he does not commit the vilest transgressions of God’s law. However, much the same may be said of those with no faith at all.

Christianity may as well be reduced to a creed and considered a succinct list of morals without the need of righteous motives. Because the professing Christian does not begin with the revelation of God, he ends with a morality emptied of its supernatural glory and resembling that which is generally accepted among nonbelievers. Scriptural Descriptions of the Nature of Christianity However, Scripture places greater responsibility upon the Christian than right action and avoidance of grievous transgression. He is urged to perfect his words and deeds in Colossians 3:17, to imitate the Father’s holiness in 1 Peter 1:16 and Matthew 5:48, and to pursue perfection in 2 Corinthians 7:1 and Hebrews 6:1. The true Christian is not satisfied with the radical transformation that no doubt accompanied his salvation. He has dethroned all other gods and dedicated himself to the pursuit of his blessed Redeemer alone.

The true Christian brings every thought into the captivity of Christ. He seeks to do all to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31). “Neither fear of misery nor the desire for happiness motivates [the Christian’s] efforts to excel in all holiness. [He] love[s] it for its own sake.” A true Christian desires to serve God wholeheartedly, continually grow in righteousness, maintain a tender awareness of his own unworthiness, and persevere through his weakness.

If some should object that this goes too far, or counter that the Mosaic Law no longer applies to man, they should note that the laws of God are given in a way that none may consider themselves exempt. In fact, the Scriptures explicitly apply God’s law universally. Such talk is silenced when contemplating the meaning of Deuteronomy 6:5: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

God condemns both the complete rejection of his lordship and a divided allegiance. This is because He alone is worthy of worship. He clarifies for man that he shall not love mother or father, son or daughter more than Him (Matthew 10:37). He also hates idolatry, which “does not consist so much in bowing the knee to idols as it does in expressing internal homage of the heart to them.”

Popular Notions of Christianity

True Christianity can be considered “the implantation of a vigorous and active principle. When one has recognized religion’s authority and supremely seated it in the heart, then from there it generally expels whatever opposes it.” Because of this, all a man’s disposition is affected by Christianity.

In contrast, the professing Christian maintains a pragmatic faith. His Christianity is assigned a portion of his life. Without the light of Scripture, he assumes he is free to do as he pleases otherwise. He assumes that as long as he faithfully executes his religious requirements, he is guiltless. He is not careful to avoid all sin; rather only to respect the boundary line he has established. If in the course of time he finds the boundary restricting his freedom, he begins to move it incrementally.

In this manner, man becomes his own god.

In place of righteous and wholehearted obedience, man builds a system of decent selfishness. Man pursues his supposed right to pleasure and “amusements multiply, combined and varied, to fill up the void of a listless and languid life.”

These amusements and pleasures take many forms. Some are sensual. Some are vain. Some are ambitious. The pursuit of them saps one of all energy with which he might consider the state of his inner man.

Consequently, Christianity is robbed of its powerful motives and revolutionary character, and is replaced simply by a moral code. The professing Christian attempts to live by it and excuses himself when unable to do so.

The true Christian is alarmed and grieved by his sin. He longs to be free from it and considers the law of God to be a guiding and abiding principle in his heart. He is aware of the supernatural world because glimpses of it are revealed in Scripture. These he keeps foremost in his mind when the world would tempt him to distraction. They produce in him a resolve in the face of temptation and divine strength in the face of trial.

Such behavior distinguishes the true Christian from the professing one, for the latter lives according to the dictates of the world. He is insensible of the transient nature of his life and is enslaved to the surrounding temporal and earthly realities.

The Desire for Human Admiration and Applause

Often the soul of man desires admiration and applause for itself above all. This provides another point of contrast between the professing and the true Christian.

The Scriptures teach that man is utterly ruined and completely fallen. Consequently, he is helpless to do that which is of utmost importance, namely, to please God. This awareness of his inability should produce in him a meekness and a humility.

Such is not the case, however, for man sees the height of his depravity in that he instead extols himself. He sees his pride as his great virtue, honors himself above all, and encroaches upon God’s territory as an arrogant usurper. The true Christian abhors his tendencies in this regard, and he therefore willingly relinquishes his desire for glory and adoration. He rightly recognizes the unseemliness of his desire for such praise and distrusts it should he receive it.

The true Christian turns these tendencies to their right use, as motivation to aspire to true honor and just reward~the inheritance appointed him by the Father. In light of such a prize, “the little, misplaced, and perishable distinctions of this world attempt in vain to satisfy this ambition and cannot.”

Thus he is empowered in his pursuit to overcome the world. He is content in the portion allotted to him. He seeks the honor of God alone, seeking a warm welcome into his eternal dwelling. He knows that to desire the praise of men endangers this goal, and he must guard with watchful eye against its intrusion. The heart thus oriented must also guard itself lest it become of no practical use. It must tend to the responsibilities of life faithfully.

The Error of Replacing True Religion with Pleasant Manners

Another dangerous error arises among those who do not make the Scriptures their supreme authority. They falsely distinguish between religion and morality, assuming that developing a pleasant demeanor and charitable spirit is a valid substitute for true Christianity.

Aside from numerous Scriptures identifying a change of heart, not actions, as the root of faith, there are practical errors in this thinking. Such a philosophy fails to condemn the hypocrite, who is able to wear his pleasant mask in public but in his home behaves unbecomingly toward his own family. It also does not account for those who may be naturally disposed toward a pleasant demeanor, who gain the credit of moral achievement from instinct. Such shortcuts tend to spring from unwillingness to exert effort in the pursuit of righteousness, or a fear that a pursuit of true righteousness will cost them their reputation.

The true Christian, however, understands that true righteousness commands sacrifice and that a truly consistent virtuous demeanor comes only from the love that is distinctly Christian, for it “suffereth long and is kind, is not easily provoked, and beareth all things and endureth all things” (I Corinthians 13:4–5, 7).

The principle carries over from morality to usefulness. The professing Christian believes that if he is faithful in his obligations toward his friends and acquaintances, then he has been faithful to God as well. Such thinking is dangerous and erodes the foundations of every requirement of Scripture.

We must recognize that Christianity is based on motives~that “only Christian practice can flow from Christian principle.” The truest proof of the uniqueness and supernatural nature of the Christian faith is that it produces in the believer those qualities which previously did not exist and empowers and enhances those already present. The virtue and usefulness of the true Christian can be credited to no one other than God Himself.

The true Christian is not satisfied in meeting a moral obligation. He understands his duty to root out and destroy hidden motives contrary to God’s Word. He takes seriously his witness and strives to avoid all that may discredit it, for his chief aim is to honor the Lord and secondly to encourage others in the same path. He gives not just his actions but also his heart and life to God. He dedicates time to the cultivation of secret faithfulness so that his outward life may be in harmony with his inward motives.

Other Major Defects in the Professing Christian’s Practice

The professing Christian, having abandoned revealed truth, is beset with another misconception as well. He believes sin possesses degrees of seriousness. He fails to understand that sin, any sin, is an act of insurrection against his Sovereign and that it carries with it the highest penalty. He fails to understand that his sin is a willful alignment with the avowed and permanent enemy of God, and his punishment arises from his allegiance to a kingdom other than God’s.

It is for this reason a Christian is a stranger in this world. Christ’s kingdom is not of this world, so neither is the Christian’s. A true Christian cannot tolerate in himself a divided loyalty, because loyalty may not be divided. He knows the way of his Savior and travels in it. Living in such a way, the Christian finds strength in thanksgiving to journey onward. Through alternating joys and distresses, the Christian is carried onward by meditation on his goal.

The Mistake of Neglecting Christianity’s Distinctive Doctrines

The greatest and most fatal mistake professing Christians make is their failure to understand the great doctrines of the Christian faith: 1) the corruption of human nature; 2) the atonement of the Savior; and 3) the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit.

When people reach a crisis, or at some point are aware of their need for religion, they decide within themselves to reform their lives. They promise to mend their ways and live at a higher standard. They are unaware of how far short they fall of God’s righteous standard, and so they do not grasp the worthlessness of their attempts.

Others may have a true realization of their weakness and wickedness, but through neglect of the great doctrines, they never come to the realization that the misery of their Christian walk is the result of their misunderstanding of how one walks in righteousness. In time, they find that the remedy to their miserable state is a lessening of God’s requirements~ a belief that since Christ died for them they are acceptable to God as they are. If they but devote themselves to some religious duty or another and try sincerely to be obedient, then all is well.

However, a thorough knowledge of the above doctrines helps the true Christian understand the transforming nature of faith, the righteous requirements of God, and the help available to him in striving after them. He becomes aware of his miserable state, his forgiveness in Christ, the immutability of God’s standards, and the power available through his new standing in Christ to be transformed into His image. He humbly repents of his sins and petitions for strength, relying completely on the grace of God to continue in faith. Above all, he understands that the success or failure in his walk depends on this one act: looking unto Jesus. By contemplating Christ, he sees the evil of sin’s effect upon him and God’s hatred of it. He sees his shortcoming from God’s righteous standard. He is motivated by God’s love to faithful service. He gains awareness of the shortness of life and the worth of eternal favor. He finds the only way to the Father. To the professing or nominal Christian, “the truths of the Gospel are like distant stars that twinkle with a vain and idle luster. But to the real Christian, these distinctive doctrines constitute the center in which he gravitates, like the sun of his system, and the source of his light, warmth, and life.”

The Excellence of Real Christianity

Several admirable traits of true Christians are overlooked by professing Christians. Scripture identifies the following virtues:

• “fear and love of God and of Christ;
• love, kindness, and meekness toward our fellow men;
• indifference to the possessions and events of this life compared with our concern about eternity; and
• self-denial and humility.”

Such virtues distinguish true Christians from all other forms of religion.

In place of such virtues, the professing Christian substitutes shallow imitations, being satisfied with the appearance of virtue. He allows himself to be utterly divided in loyalties and inconsistent in practice. He fails in his motive, for his heart is not transformed and his actions disguise his true feelings. In such a state, the nominal Christian fails to distinguish himself from the other worldly religions.

Brief Inquiry Into the Present State of Christianity

Now to inquire about the current decline of Christianity in this country (England, 1797). A vibrant Christianity has historically increased the common standard of virtue and morality within a country. Additionally, persecution has a purifying and quickening affect on Christianity, and it has within this country. When true Christianity is widespread and vigorous, it helps establish a high common moral code.

However, when a country becomes prosperous and content, believers forget they are involved in a spiritual war. They assimilate into their surrounding culture and lose their distinctiveness. Consequently, the quality of their Christian faith lessens and the impact of the uniqueness of Christianity diminishes.

If these be true, then the state of Christianity in this country is not hard to discern. Existing as it does in a country with religious freedom, free government, large cities, and abundant wealth, the state of Christianity is in serious decline.

Over time, the state of Christianity becomes such that “God is forgotten. His providence is explained away. We do not see God’s hand. While He multiplies His comforts to us, we are not grateful. He visits us with chastisements, but we are not contrite.” While Christianity in England achieved its apex during the Reformation, many of the distinctive doctrines have fallen into disregard. Over time and because of the loss of virtue, people began to recognize the need for morality. However, they did not maintain the theological underpinnings that make it distinctively Christian and truly transformative. So now the unique doctrines of Christianity are almost gone.

Many believe that vigorous pursuit of Christianity produces a dull life. The opposite is the case, however. The true Christian is useful, content, and joyful. He maintains separation from the destructive habits of unbelieving men and commendably conducts himself in his affairs. Should a whole nation come to such a state, such happiness there would be. Should many countries come under such influence, there would no longer be a basis for war or belligerence between them, for “differences between nations commonly arise from mutual injuries and still more from mutual jealousy and distrust. Of the former, there would exist no longer any ground for complaint. The latter would find nothing to attack upon.” As it stands, however, the root of national disease is selfishness.

Because Christianity sets itself against all form of selfishness, man sees its power to transform much of society’s sickness. Christianity’s doctrines root out his selfish motives and cultivate within him benevolence. This kind of Christianity cannot be superficial. It must be deep and transformative to have such an affect. To lose this Christianity and replace it with nominal Christianity will only serve to hasten its demise and that of the country which espouses it.

It is useless to attempt a reform of the morality of a country without first addressing the reform of the heart. A truly transforming morality can only spring from Christian doctrine, Christian faith, and Christian practice. Therefore, let man reform his Christianity and do away with nominal Christianity~Christianity in name only. Only by so doing will the evils of culture be checked and the light of the gospel have its illuminating effect.

Practical Hints for Real Christianity

People have seen the failure of professing Christians to understand Christianity’s chief doctrines, rightly adhere to its chief commands, and practice its basic morality. Professing Christians are motivated by something other than the desire to honor God alone, and they fail to revere His Word as their rule of faith and practice. In short, “their Christianity is not Christianity.” How does one avoid this self-deception? Consider the following:

1. Man must learn not to think favorably of himself, but be mindful of his own corruption above all~and the selfishness derived from it.
2. Man must remember that his corruption clouds his moral judgment. God’s holiness is beyond his comprehension, so His standard is what he is to follow.
3. Man must consider his incapacity to rightly identify all his sin. He may remember the more serious errors committed recently, while forgetting those past. God sees and knows all.
4. Man must repent. Being mindful of his weakness and inability to even account for all his sin, he casts himself upon the grace, mercy, and loving-kindness of God.
5. Man must be careful not to mistake zealous religion for complete acceptance of and adherence to the gospel.
6. Man must avoid allowance of particular sins. Understanding his sin to be rebellion against God, he strives to root all such evil from his heart by the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. Man must develop true Christian love as opposed to its counterfeit~ indifference. Love is fervent and full of compassion and concern. It speaks the truth, and it jealously desires earnestness and faithfulness. The nominal Christian embraces indifference and calls it love, whereby he leaves each to his own and fears to tread on another’s feelings for fear of losing the esteem of those around him.

Let the true Christian soberly consider these things, pondering them together with the distinctive doctrines of Christianity and the revelation of God. Let him examine himself and test the quality of his faith not by his standard of sincerity, but according to the standard of righteousness. If he is found wanting, let him shut himself up with God. Let him diligently study His Word. Let him become aware of his own depravity. Let him be overcome by the wickedness of his constitution. Then, let him consider the perfect sacrifice. Let him cast himself upon the mercy of his creator, who will not reject those who humbly come to Him. Let him then work out his salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God who works in him to will and do all He commands. Let him become indifferent to the accolades and esteem of the world. Let him continue to remind himself of his corruption.

His thankfulness for the gospel aids him in striving to please the Lord. Let him find useful activities to advance the cause of Christ. And “above all, [let him] measure [his] progress by [his] experience of the love of God and its exercise before men.” In this way, the Christian displays his true motive not as one satisfying an overbearing creditor, but as one fulfilling a debt of love. Then, he is free to recognize this world is not his home, and he enslaves himself to the purposes of the divine kingdom.

Let Christians such as these arise in this generation, living by the only transforming doctrines known to mankind. May they take seriously their charge to pursue righteousness and to bring transformation to a declining culture. Through prayer, sober contemplation, and faithful obedience, may they seek to bring their virtues to bear upon the culture around them with humility. Avoiding political methodology, let them bring their beliefs to bear on culture by living out their beliefs without fear of repercussion, concern for loss of property or prominence, and especially without lessening their force through corruption of motive.