4/8/13

Real Christians Are Chosen, And They Are Few - They Are Pilgrims In This World

John 15:19 'I have chosen you out of the world'

Fellow pilgrims, the heavenly way we travel is more or less a lonely way. We have, at most, but few companions. It is a "little flock," and only here and there we meet a traveler, who, like ourselves, is journeying towards heaven. Because the way is narrow, difficult, and humiliating to the flesh, there are only a few (Matt. 7:14), under the drawings of the Spirit, who find it.

If true religion consisted in a 'mere profession' then there are many on the way to heaven. If the marks of discipleship were merely an orthodox creed, excited feelings, or denominational zeal, then there are many who 'find the way.' But true pilgrims are those with broken hearts; those who are poor in spirit; those who mourn for sin; those who know the music of the Shepherd's voice; those who follow the Lamb; those who delight in the throne of grace; and those who love the place of the cross.
  (from "Solitude Sweetened" by Octavius Winslow; 1808-1878)
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Pop quiz: Are you chosen? You think (Rom. 8:16)? Are you "out of the world"? Really (Gal. 6:14)? Are you traveling the 'narrow' way? Are you sure (Luke 13:24)? Do you know the drawing of the Spirit of God? You do (John 6:44)? Have you come by the way of the cross? You did (Rom. 6:6-7)? Then...are you dead and is your life hid with Christ in God, as in Col. 3:3?

Only a true pilgrim can answer all those questions in the affirmative - how about you?
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Hebrews 11:13-16 'These...confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth...For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country... a better country, that is, an heavenly'

2 comments :

Anonymous said...

Excuse me. Who's "limit" test is this? Do you pick and choose key verses of the Gospel to validate "lordship salvation" and your religious dogma? Grace,renewing of the mind from the Word and a growing maturing christian is the Full Gospel truth of salvation. "It is finished"
It seems like you don't understand this.We are not saved by our own efforts, but what Jesus did for us. We can not be perfect here on earth.By your comments, it seems we are not saved by Your standards.
I choose the full Gospel Word promises of God.
Do you understand this?
Also the rapture is the truth of the Word and the full loving nature of God. Test the spirits and interpret scripture through the Holy Spirit. "We are Not appointed to wrath"....Mormons, Jehovah's witnesses,the world, does not believe in the rapture. Do not be deceived...yourself.
The rapture "test" is a True litmus test from the Word of God.
Otherwise your blog is very informative.

tom m. said...

Excuse me..."religious dogma"?

The sovereign election of God, warning about the narrowness of the way which leadeth to life, the evidence of new life being the witness of the Spirit of God to the spirit of a regenerate person, the necessity of the believer taking up his cross (Luke 14:27), the necessity of being 'dead with Christ' (Rom. 6:8)...

Are these the things you call religious dogma?

There is no Full Gospel without these things - just a Cross-less Christianity
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Not Wrath But Rapture For The Regenerate