[CAN NOT A MAN KNOW THAT
HE IS A CHRISTIAN?]
THE grand question to be solved, in this generation, is, whether men can follow the Lord, the only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, as their only Leader, receive his truth as their only guide, his faith as their only faith, his religion as their only religion, and be simply his disciples and no more. Is there such a thing in this world as christianity? All the conflicting parties around us admit that there is. Can we determine what it is? If we can not, no man knows whether he is a christian or not. If we can determine what christianity is, then, why not adopt it, and nothing else? Can we determine what the gospel is? If we can not, then, no man knows whether he is a believer or not, and knows not whether he will be saved or lost. If we can determine what the gospel is then, why in the name of reason not preach the gospel and nothing else? If we can not determine what the church of Christ is, then no man can determine whether he is in the church of Christ or not. If we can determine what the church of Christ is, there can be no excuse for forming any other church, or belonging to any other.
If we can not determine what christianity is, we can not determine who is near to it, or far from it. If we can not determine what the gospel is, we can not decide who comes near to it, or swerves far from it. If the right way can not be known, no man can tell who is near the truth and who is far from it. If we can not tell which the way to heaven is, we can not tell who is near and who is far from it. The world is lost. We are enveloped in impenetrable darkness. The light of heaven is blown out. Hell has triumphed. All is thrown into chaos. An eternal confusion spreads a universal reign. Doubt, uncertainty and gloom extend over the whole habitable earth. The purpose of God has failed, and the malignant purpose of hell has triumphed. The hope of all nations is lost. Our world is ruined!—Black, fearful and awful despair prevail everywhere among men. Is this the condition of our world? Tell us, all you who think that the man is a bigot, a simpleton and pretender, who says he can know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent—that he can know the truth that makes man free—that he can know the gospel—that he can know christianity—that he can know that he is a christian—that he can know the true church; tell us, all you who despise this man for claiming that he can know all this, if you say you cannot know these things, how do you know whether you are right or wrong, in the way to heaven or hell? How can you tell, if you know not these things, whether you are near right, or far from it? How can you tell anything about it?
[EXALTED POSITION OF JESUS.]
THIS glorious person is the soul of the Bible, the center of the whole spiritual system, the attraction for all nations, the ruler, not only among the saints on earth, but also the armies of heaven. God gave him honor and glory, the apostle says, when he proclaimed him his Son in the holy mountain. He walks at the head of the army of God, the true Israel, and among the inhabitants of the earth, proclaiming with all authority, both in heaven and on earth, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me.” “I am the resurrection and the life”—“I am he who was dead and am alive, and behold I live forever and ever”—“I have the keys of hell and of death; I can open, and no man can shut; I can shut, and no man can open”—“I am the bright and the morning star, the root and the offspring of David”—“I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men to me.” “If any man would be my disciple, let him take up his cross and follow me.” Such are a few of the many expressions setting forth the exalted position of the Christian’s King and the Christian’s Lord. When he was coronated in heaven, crowned Lord of all, the Almighty Father swore that he should reign till all his enemies should be put under his feet—that to him every knee should bow, and every tongue should confess. Lift up your hearts, all you saints, and behold your King! He is the head of the church. Set your affections on him, follow him, and consecrate yourselves to him forever more.