John 6:37 All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. I. WHAT TRUE RELIGION IS. 1. Negatively. (1) It cannot consist in any feeling of moral fitness. What need of coming to Christ if our own nature is morally sufficient? (2) Nor in the observance of external ritual. The source of the corruptions of Christianity is the tendency to put form for faith. (3) Nor in simple orthodoxy. 2. Positively. A living relation with a living Christ. II. THE METHOD OF GAINING TRUE RELIGION. 1. Not thronging about Christ. 2. But coming to Christ by faith. III. THE PROOF OF THE POSSESSION OF TRUE RELIGION. 1. Not in an old experience preserved in the memory. 2. Nor in a present release from the fear of death. 3. Nor in the fervent glow of feeling (these may accompany it), but in the present proneness of the soul on these words of Christ.Conclusion: Why will you not come to Christ? 1. Is it because you are afraid of ridicule and what others may say? "Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed." 2. Is it because of the inconsistencies of Christians? "Every man Shall give account of himself to God." 3. Is it because you are not willing to give up all to Christ? "What shall it profit a man," etc. 4. Is it because you are thinking you will do as well as you can, and that God ought to be satisfied with that? "Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." 5. Is it because you are postponing the matter without any definite reason? "Boast not thyself of to-morrow," etc. 6. Is it because you fear you will not be accepted? "Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out." (W. Hoyt.) Parallel Verses KJV: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.WEB: All those who the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out. |
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