CONCLUDING WORDS OF COUNSEL

 by Harry A. Ironside

 

CHAPTER TEN

Now, I REALIZE that your particular difficulty may not have been touched at all in the preceding pages. But whatever it is that keeps you from the positive assurance that your soul is saved, I beg of you not to give up in despair and conclude that such knowledge is not for you.

For whatever your condition of mind, whatever your trouble of conscience, whatever your particular besetment may be, there is that in GOD 's holy Word which is designed to exactly meet your case.

Will you not definitely settle it with GOD that you will take the Lord JESUS CHRIST as your own personal Saviour, and then, in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, search the Scriptures daily, reading prayerfully and thoughtfully, and look up to GOD Himself for all needed enlightenment?

" The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way ." Again, He says, " To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word ." Our blessed Lord has declared that if one is willing to do the will of GOD, he shall know of the doctrine.

All that is needed is to take the place of a lost sinner, in humility of mind and contrition of heart, counting upon GOD who is not willing that any should perish to reveal His mind to you through the written Word, thus leading on to the assurance of peace with GOD through JESUS CHRIST.

But, on the other hand, do not be neglectful of the means of grace He has put at your disposal. If you are so located that you can attend upon the ministry of the Word, go as often as you can to hear the Gospel proclaimed, for when the world by its wisdom knew not GOD, " it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe ."

Frequent, too, the place of prayer , and be ready to consult with others who give evidence of knowing and enjoying what you are seeking for. It was when Lydia was at the place of prayer that Paul was sent to explain the way of life, and the Lord opened her heart to receive it. She was earnestly seeking in accordance with all the light she had, and the Lord saw to it that more light came as she followed the gleam.

Another thing is very important for anyone desiring divine illumination: Put out of your life every known sin, so far as it is in your power to do so, and avoid all that would tend to defile your mind and heart.

 David said, " If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me ." If you continue to associate needlessly with the ungodly, or if you participate in worldly pleasures, all of which have a tendency to harden the conscience, you cannot expect to get help from the Spirit of GOD, who is grieved by all such frivolities.

Do not waste precious time on trashy and unclean literature. Read only what is uplifting and inspiring. Give the first place to your Bible and avail yourself of good books as you are able to obtain them, books that edify and make eternal things more real. It is folly to expect the assurance of salvation and yet neglect the means that GOD has ordained for making known the riches of His grace.