1 Timothy 1:13

1 Timothy 1:13

I. Christianity is not a mere magical charm, nor a universal quack medicine: it is a Divine method and plan of salvation. There are different things to be saved from, and by different methods Christ saves us; and coming to Him and learning meekness is humbly submitting to His way. His forgiveness is as sure as the throne of God, and if you have no peace, it is because you do not believe in Christ, and in His saving revelation; and until you simply accept in fullest faith Christ's revelation, and a Heavenly Father forgiving impiety, transgression, and sin, you cannot have peace. It quite depends upon yourself; there is no change necessary in God, and it is written, "Even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." He hath forgiven thee, thou penitent sinner, but if thou wilt not believe it, then the clouds will remain. But remember the clouds are not of the heaven, they are of the earth.

II. Now it is quite certain that the work of complete salvation from any firmly founded habit must be long and wearisome; and one reason why there is so little moral salvation is, that while men spend months or years in learning an art, or a language, they expect by a prayer or two once a week to become new creatures in Christ Jesus. In some cases, you must go on trying, and watching, and praying, until you do. But, you say, this is desperately hard work; it is giving up one's life to it. But this is just what Christ says; this is just His method of salvation. "He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for My sake, the same shall find it." If you want a ticket to get into heaven when you can sin no more on earth, I do not know where it is to be had; but if you would be saved from sin, you must work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

W. Page Roberts, Reasonable Service,p. 104.