Truth does not need to be protected; it needs to be presented.
Nothing is more out of place, more disgusting and damaging, than levity in the pulpit.
When in doubt, better tarry for a Spirit-born conviction. Our God has promised to guide.
To hold stubbornly to a theory when it has been overthrown by incontrovertible facts, becomes a dishonest evasion of truth.
Logic is helpful to the gospel worker — if his premises are sound. But if one of his premises is wrong, the conclusion is invariably erroneous.
Christ came not merely to show us how to live, but to give life itself; not merely to give us an example, but enabling power to live that life.
We must not permit our attention and efforts to be diverted to side issues. That is the devil's trick to switch us from main issues.
Wholly apart from their motives, critics have an important place in the scheme of things. They keep us from blandly taking matters for granted. They drive us to our proofs, and compel us to use only unimpeachable sources and undeniable authorities to substantiate our contentions. They are gadflies to sting us out of careless drift and perilous complacence. Thanks, Mr. Critic, for your indirect help.
It is a definite advance for a driving doctrinarian to try to put Christ into every doctrine; but it is more wonderful to discover that the doctrines are all in Christ.
Let us distinguish between progress and speed. There is such a thing as futile speed — always hurrying, but getting nowhere. Let us keep the delusive thing out of the activities of the church.
Righteousness by faith is not a thing apart from the message, or simply one of the doctrines of the message. It is the spiritual heart of the message. It is the true center of every true doctrine. There is peril in otherwise presenting it.
The stubborn facts of a bad situation cannot be disposed of by a cheerful view, a clever phrase, or a wave of the hand. Facts demand recognition and study. A slogan will not suffice. Mere discussion is fruitless. Intelligent action is demanded. A real situation demands a real remedy. Some things must be gripped.
Often men are called upon to surrender their conviction to the majority opinion, and as evidence of the propriety, they are told it is surprising how often God blesses those plans of the, brethren in which they saw no light. Let us not forget God's long-suffering patience with the sinfulness of man. He often does partially bless man's plans, while all the time He had better plans and provisions. God does not forsake us, but we often deprive ourselves of the best because we do not seek the divine plan. Sooner or later we will come to His plans. Thus the work will be cut short.
L. E. F.
