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Do We Really Sacrifice?, July 14
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as
love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.
Psalm 40:16
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Many speak of the life of the Christian taking away from us pleasures
and worldly enjoyments. I say it takes away nothing worth saving. Is there
perplexity, poverty, and distress endured by the Christian? Oh, yes, this is
expected in this life. But is the sinner, of whom we speak as enjoying the
pleasures of this world, free from these ills of life? Do we not often see
them in deep perplexity and trouble? ...
Christians sometimes think they have a hard time and that it is a
condescension in them to lay hold of unpopular truth and profess to be
Christ’s followers, that the road seems hard and that they have many
sacrifices to make, when in reality they make no sacrifice at all. If in
reality they are adopted into the family of God, what sacrifice have they
made? Their following Christ may have broken some friendship with their
world-loving relatives, but look at the exchange—their names written in
the Lamb’s book of life, elevated, yes, greatly exalted, to be partakers of
salvation, heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to an imperishable
inheritance. Shall we call it a sacrifice on our part to yield error for truth,
darkness for light, sin for righteousness, a perishable name and inheritance
upon earth for honors that are lasting, and a treasure undefiled that fadeth
not away?
Even in this life, the Christian has One upon whom to lean for support,
who will help him bear all his trials. Yet the sinner has to bear his trials
alone. He goes down into the grave suffering remorse under darkness,
bound by Satan, for he is his lawful prey....
If there is any one who should be continually grateful, it is the follower
of Christ. If there is any one who enjoys real happiness, even in this life,
it is the faithful Christian.... If we appreciate or have any sense of how
dearly our salvation was purchased, anything which we may call sacrifice
will sink away into insignificance.
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