The confession of faith of the new converts (continued)

How unreasonable and unfair to consider a new convert as a lawyer trying to embarrass a suspicious witness. Be rather like the faithful doctor, seeking with solicitude to know the true state of his patient, and bringing him by questions and suggestions to manifest how he is doing. If you ask your questions properly, you will always find in the true believers a clear awareness of these fundamental points : divine authority of the Scriptures, the necessity of the influence of the Holy Spirit, the divinity of Christ, the doctrine of total corruption, and of regeneration, the necessity of expiation, justification by faith, the just eternal punishment of the wicked. If you ask them to be understood, you will find that these points are part of their personal experience.

How many people known to hope for the Lord do not dare to confess their faith for fear of being mistaken. In such cases I would always decide the question. A hope that does not want to confess is obviously worse than no hope. The faster it is torn, the better. Does a man have to hope that he loves God and yet does not obey Jesus Christ ? What inconsistency ! It is better to finish it immediately with such hope.

Sometimes people who say they are converted, apologize for not joining the church, claiming that they can find satisfaction in piety without it. This statement is always questionable. I would have the eye on such people. They are almost certain to have no piety. Usually, if a person does not wish to associate with the people of God, it is because their background is corrupt. She does not want to take responsibility for a public profession of her piety. She has the secret feeling that she is thus freer, and can return from time to time to the world, if she pleases, without incurring the reproach of instability or hypocrisy. Want to enjoy the benefits of piety without obeying Jesus Christ ! Who does not see that is wrong ? We forget that the very essence of piety is to obey Jesus Christ.

Jeremy Sourdril