CHAPTER 1 - ( CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF THE 18TH CENTURY ) - { PT. 10 }


 { PT.  10 } - This, in fact, was the main point in almost all their sermons. They never taught the modern doctrine that Christ's death was only a great example of self-sacrifice. They saw in it something far higher, greater, and deeper than this. They saw in it the payment of man's mighty debt of God. They loved Christ's person, they rejoiced in Christ's promises, and they urged people to walk after Christ's example. But the one subject above all others concerning Christ that they delighted to dwell on was the sin-atoning blood that Christ shed for us on the cross.                                                                                  THE REFORMERS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY CONSTANTLY TAUGHT THE GREAT DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. They told people that faith was the one thing needful in order to obtain a saving interest in Christ's work for their souls. They taught that before we believe, we are dead and have no part in Christ, and that the moment we do believe, we live and have a full claim to all Christ's benefits. Justification by virtue of church membership and justification without believing or trusting were ideas to which they gave no support. The very heart of their preaching was that if you will believe, and the moment you believe, it is everything; and if you do not believe, you have nothing.                      ________________________________________________________    

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