A WORD ABOUT FAITHFULNESS

It has been my practice to never scold the people of God and upbraid them about church attendance, giving, witnessing, etc. My reason for this practice is simply this - That which is done to please me, or out of any legal fear, or to satisfy the opinions of others, is just as well left undone. I refuse to threaten or promise anything to get men and women to perform religious works. If the love of Christ does not constrain and motivate you to be faithful to Christ, nothing done would be of any value anyway. But I am greatly concerned for people who profess faith in Christ and profess to love him, who do not demonstrate faithfulness regarding him.

Can I know the love of Christ, that love which constrained him to leave the glory and bliss of heaven, take upon himself my nature, assume my sin and guilt, and sacrifice himself for my eternal redemption, can I know that love and not be constrained to faithfulness toward him? It is not possible! It is impossible for me to imagine a man or women who has experienced the saving grace of God neglecting the worship and service of Christ, for any reason. I am a man totally indebted to the grace of God. Where would I be, what would I be today, if God had left me to myself? I shudder to think of it! My heart is bound hand and foot to Christ, because of his amazing love. What shall I refuse to do for him who has done so much for me? What shall I refuse to suffer for him who has suffered so much for me? What shall I refuse to give to him who has given so much for me? Truly, his love demands my heart, my soul, my all.

In tenderness and out of great concern for your souls, I urge you, my friends, not to allow anything to distract you from the worship and service of Christ. Is there no desire in your heart to be in his house, to fellowship with his saints, to hear his Word, to sing his praise, and to worship him? Will you allow anything to keep you from Christ? If anything can keep me from Christ, I am afraid I simply do not yet know Christ.