IN CHRIST THE ONLY WAY

"...the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." -II Timothy 3:13 [KJV]

We never think to any purpose about salvation, till we see our own condemnation for sin. Has there ever been a tribunal set up in your conscience? Have you been arraigned, and have you held up your hand at the bar of justice? Has the law of God brought its charge against you? Have you, from inward conviction of sin, been forced to plead guilty? Then the law pronounces its curses upon you, and there it leaves you, under its guilt and terror. For, to convince and to condemn, is all the law can do. 

The Lord knows, and self-condemned sinners know too, (I speak for one,) this is a most deplorable state. Now, the once neglected book of God becomes most precious to the soul. The believing sinner now sees, as he had no knowledge of sin, but by the law, so he can obtain no knowledge of salvation, but by the gospel. Such a soul is wise; but not in his own eyes. Prudent; but not in his own sight. There is a woe against such as are, (Isaiah 5:21.) And Christ thanks His Father that He had hid the things of His kingdom, from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes (see Matthew 11:25.) 

O it is blessed to be only a babe in our own sight; to know that we have no wisdom in ourselves; to be stript of all our corrupt ideas of salvation; to see that we must learn all from the scriptures; and simply receive and believe what they testify of salvation by Jesus. This is true wisdom. This is being wise unto salvation. Now, if you closely attend to, and examine the cause, why your walk is not always holy, happy, and joyful, you will find it is because of your folly. You do not simply search the scriptures for wisdom, nor simply believe the salvation they reveal, which is in Christ. 

The scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation. But say you, cannot the Spirit do this without them? This is folly. The Spirit is in the word. It teaches us to be wise unto salvation, by the word. If you expect the Spirit without the word, you have the vain hope of a fool. Through faith in Christ Jesus. The scriptures testify of Him, and of salvation by Him only. To believe the scriptures, is to believe in Christ unto salvation. O say some, I do from my heart believe the scriptures, but I fear I have no saving faith in Christ. Here you are not a babe. Not simple of heart. You did not learn this from the scriptures. You get into the reasoning of the father of lies. So you distress your mind. Take thy Lord’s reproof: O fools and slow of heart to believe (what?) all that is spoken. See Luke 24:25. 

Vain men, who seek to be made wise 

Without God’s holy word: 

Neglecting faith in Jesus Christ, 

Ye ne’er can know the Lord. 

Come listen to the scripture’s voice, 

Its sacred truths obey, 

With wisdom then ye shall rejoice, 

In Christ the only way.

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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