[b]The most effective eloquence!
([url=http://www.gracegems.org/17/Macduff.htm]John MacDuff
A guide through life to immortality!)
"[i]Let your light so shine
may see your good works, and glorify your
Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
What unspeakable injury has been done to the
cause of Christ, by the [i]inconsistent lives
professors of religion! To [i]unholy lives
ascribed the comparatively little progress which
Christianity has hitherto made. It is this . . .
which emboldens the [i]scoffer
which encourages the [i]profligate
which strengthens the hands of the [i]infidel
which seals the eyes of the [i]impenitent
death-like slumber!
Those who bear the name of Jesus should ever
remember--that the eyes of an ungodly world
are upon them, and that their impression of the
gospel, both in its nature and results--is derived
from what they witness in the conduct of those
who are identified with it!
"The [i]Bible
to Christians; and [i]Christians
to the world." The sacred Scriptures are not read
by the careless and ungodly multitude--but they
are eager in reading [i]the character of the followers
of Christ!
How important is it, then, that they should give, by
their spirit and deportment--a correct representation
of our holy religion!
Great is the power of impassioned oratory, as embodied
in burning words, dramatic gestures, and flowing tears.
But, after all, [b]the most effective eloquence--is that
of a pure, upright, consistent life!
accusers of our holy faith; and puts to silence the
ignorance of foolish men.
Christian, let it be your earnest prayer and daily
endeavor, to adorn the doctrine of your Savior,
not in some things--but in all things. Adorn it . . .
by the purity of your conversation,
by the blamelessness of your life,
by the integrity of your dealings,
by your abhorrence of all which is base or impure.
Adorn it in the various [i]conditions
in which you may be placed--
in prosperity or adversity;
in obscurity or eminence;
in health or sickness;
in joy or sorrow;
in youth or old age;
in life or death.
"For this very reason, make every effort to
[i]add[b]goodness
and to goodness, [b]knowledge
and to knowledge, [b]self-control
and to self-control, [b]perseverance
and to perseverance, [b]godliness
and to godliness, brotherly [b]kindness
and to brotherly kindness, [b]love
For if you possess these qualities in [i]increasing
measure, they will keep you from being ineffective
and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8
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