This is my last full length article on A Sure Guide to Heaven. I will wrap up next week with the conclusion. This is a fascinating work and one that will benefit all that put the energy into reading it.
What motivates you?
A motive as defined by Merriam-Webster is something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act.
Are you motivated by money, prestige, and respect, what gets you excited, what really trips your trigger? Are you motivated by the things of the world, or are you motivated to rid yourself of your bondage to sin? Are you motivated to win souls to Jesus Christ?
The things that motivate you define who you are.
Believer how do you see people? They are either a redeemed child of the King or someone headed to hell for eternal punishment. Do we have compassion for them? Do we desire for them to know the glories of being a follower of Jesus Christ? I hope you are stirred to speak and share the good news, it might be the only chance they have.
The motives to conversion
Men and brethren, heaven and earth call upon you; yea, hell itself preaches the doctrine of repentance unto you. The ministers of the churches labour for you. The angels of heaven wait for you, for your repenting and turning unto God. O sinner, why should devils laugh at your destruction, and deride your misery, and sport themselves with your folly? This will be your case, except you turn. Page 130
O rock! O adamant! What, not moved yet? Not yet resolved to turn forthwith and to close with mercy? I will try yet once again. If one were sent to you from the dead, would you be persuaded? Why, hear the voice from the dead, from the damned, crying to you that you should repent: ‘I pray thee that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house; for I have five brethren; that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment; if one went to them from the dead, they will repent’ (Lk xvi 27-28). Hear, O man; your predecessors in impenitence preach to you from the infernal flames, that you should repent.
O lay your ear to the door of hell. Do you hear the curses and blasphemies, the weepings and wailings, how they lament their follies and curse their day? How do they roar and gnash their teeth! How deep their groans! How inconceivable their miseries!
And of their moans and miseries this is the piercing, killing emphasis and burden, ‘For ever! For ever!’ Page 132
1: The God that made you most graciously invites you
His most sweet and merciful nature invites you. O the kindness of God, His boundless compassion, His tender mercies! As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways above our ways, and His thoughts above our thoughts. ‘He is full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy’ (Ps lxxxvi 15).
Sinners do not fail in that they have too high thoughts of God’s mercies, but in that they overlook His justice, or they promise themselves mercy out of God’s way.
Are you willing to come in? Page 133
O melting, gracious words: the voice of God, and not of a man! This is not the manner of men, for the offended sovereign to sue to the offending, traitorous rebel. O how does mercy follow you, and plead with you! Is not our heart broken yet? O that today you would hear His voice! Page 134
2: The doors of heaven are thrown open to you
Let me say to you, as Paul to Agrippa, ‘Believest thou the prophets?’
O ye sons of folly, will you embrace the dunghill and refuse the kingdom? Page 135
3: God will give you unspeakable privileges in this life
He will give you grace and glory, and withhold no good thing from you. He will take you for His sons and daughters, and make you heirs of His promises, and establish His everlasting covenant with you He will justify you from all that law, conscience and Satan can charge upon you. He will give you free access into His presence, and accept your person, and receive your prayers. Page 137
4: The terms of mercy are brought as low as possible to you
God has stooped as low to sinner as with honour He can. He will not be the author of sin, nor stain the glory of His holiness; and how could He come lower than He has, unless He should do this?
He declares Himself to have received a ransom, and that He expects nothing but that you should accept His son, and He shall be righteousness and redemption to you. If you come in His Christ, and set your heart to please Him, making this your chief concern, He will graciously accept you. Page 138
O sinner, return and live; why should you die when life is to be had for the taking, when mercy entreats you to be saved? Page 139
5: God offers all needed grace to enable you
God commands you to know Him, and to fear Him. Do you say, ‘Yes but my mind is blinded, and my heart is hardened from His fear?’ I answer that God offers to enlighten your mind, and to teach you His fear.
God invites you to be made clean, and entreats you to yield to Him. O accept His offers, and let Him do for you, and in you, what you cannot do for yourselves. Page 140
My dear friends I hope that today you consider the powerful words of this book. If you know Christ, share the gospel with all you can. If you don’t know Christ, see yourself as a miserable wretch and know He is your only hope. Turn and live.
Kevin
Uncommon Faith 