Such is man's happy situation
In this most wonderful salvation.
Chapter V. The Way From Sin To Perfect Salvation.
We have learned that sin entered this world and that all mankind have sinned. We have also learned that Jesus came to save man from his sins. Now the question may arise in the mind of some, what must I do to be saved? We hope in this chapter to quote such scriptures as will plainly teach you the way of salvation, or how to be fully saved, and also the scriptures describing each experience.
Repentance.
The first step for the sinner is to repent. When on Pentecost men were pricked in their hearts and cried, “What shall we do?” Peter answered, “Repent.” It is in accordance with God's plan of redemption, also with nature and reason, that man should repent of his sins in order to receive pardon. Repentance was the theme on which John preached in the wilderness of Judea. It seems also to have been the first subject on which the Lord preached. Mark 1:15. It is the will of God that men should repent of their sins. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Pet. 3:9. [pg 064] It is here implied if man does not repent he shall perish. Jesus says, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,” even as did those whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices, and those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell.
The first round in the ladder that reaches to eternal rest is repentance. If man never takes this step upon the way he can never reach that happy end. Because repentance includes so much, many men would gladly overstep this first round and begin their Christian life on some round higher up. This they can not do; they must take this first step, or perish. And should they strive to climb up some other way they are dishonest, and the Savior calls them “thieves and robbers.”
When the Pharisees and Sadducees came to the baptism of John he said unto them, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Mat. 3:8. There are fruits of repentance. The tree is known by its fruits. When man really repents of his sins, by his fruits or manner of life it will be made known. One of the fruits of repentance is sorrow. We might have said that repentance is sorrow, for “godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
A well known politician became an embezzler of the county fund, and was sentenced to a few years in the state's prison. After having received his sentence [pg 065] he, in the sheriff's charge, passed out of the court-room, and with tears flowing from his eyes said, “My reputation is gone forever.” That was a sorrow of the world and is not the way to salvation. Had the tears been flowing because he had sinned against God, who loved him, it would have been sorrow that “worketh repentance.”