A superficial conviction brings with it a sense of duty, without constraining to it.

Posted : 21 Apr, 2013 02:24 AM

Psalm 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not, to keep Your

commandments.



A superficial conviction brings with it a sense of duty, without

constraining to it. Men stand reasoning and doubting, instead

of making haste. But a sound conviction sweeps away all

excuses and delays. No time will be lost between making and

performing resolutions. Indeed, in a matter of life and death-of

eternal life and eternal death-the call is too clear for debate,

and there is no room for delay. Many a precious soul has

been lost by waiting for "a more convenient season"-a period,

which probably never arrives, and which the willful neglect of

present opportunity provokes God to put far away. Today is

God's time. Tomorrow ruins thousands. Tomorrow is another

world. "Today-while it is called today; if you will hear His

voice"-"make haste, and delay not." Resolutions, however

sincere, and convictions, however serious, "will pass away, as

the morning cloud and as the early dew," unless they are

carefully cherished, and instantly improved. The bonds of

iniquity will soon prove too strong for the bonds of your own

resolutions; and in the first hour of temptation, conviction left

to chance to grow, will prove as powerless as the "seven

green withs" to bind the giant Samson. If ever delays are

dangerous, much more are they in this concern of eternity. If

therefore convictions begin to work, instantly yield to their

influence. If any worldly or sinful desire is touched, let this be

the moment for its crucifixion. If any affection is kindled

towards the Savior, give immediate expression to its voice. If

any grace is reviving, let it be called forth into instant duty.

This is the best-the only- expedient to fix and detain the

motion of the Spirit now striving in the heart: and who knows

but the improvement of the present advantage may be the

moment of victory over difficulties hitherto found insuperable,

and may open the path to heaven with less interruption, and

more steady progress?

It is from the neglect of this haste that convictions often

alternately ebb and flow so long, before they settle in a sound

conversion. Indeed the instant movement-making haste, and delaying not-marks the principle of the spiritual life. This was

the prodigal's resolution, no sooner formed than in action. He

said-"I will arise, and go to my father-and he arose, and came

to his father." When Matthew heard the voice-"Follow Me-he

left all, rose up and followed Him." When Zaccheus was called

from the top of the sycamore-tree-"Make haste, and come

down, for today I must abide at your house-he made haste,

and came down, and received Him joyfully."

Ah! as you prize a hope for eternity; as you wish to "flee from

the wrath to come," and to "flee for refuge to the hope set

before you"-beware of smothering early convictions. They

may prove the first dawn of eternal day upon the soul-the first

visit of the quickening Spirit to the heart. Guard them with

unceasing watchfulness. Nourish them with believing prayer.

"Exercise" them unto practical "godliness." "Quench not the

Spirit." Let not the spark be extinguished by opposition of the

world. Let it not expire for lack of the fuel of grace. Let it not lie

dormant or inactive. "Stir up the gift of God which is in you."

Every exercise, every motion, adds grace to grace, and

increases its vigor, health, and fruitfulness. The more we do,

the more we find we can do. The withered hand, whenever

stretched forth in obedience to the Savior's word, and in

dependence on His grace, will never lack a supply of spiritual

strength. Every successive act strengthens the disposition,

until a continual succession has formed the ready and active

habit of godliness. Thus the Lord works in setting us to work.

Therefore think-determine-turn-make haste, and delay not;

and we wish you God speed; "we bless you in the name of the

Lord."

Professor! did you realize eternity, would you hover as you do

between heaven and hell? If you were truly alive and awake,

no motion would be swift enough for your desire to "flee from

the wrath to come"-to flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope

set before you." If ever God should touch your heart to feel the heavenly sweetness of communion with Him, will there be no

regret, that the privilege was not sooner sought and enjoyed?

Had I betaken myself earlier to a hearty interest in the ways of

God, how much more knowledge, experience, and comfort

should I have attained! how much more honor should I have

brought to God! how much more profit to my fellow-sinners!

Remember, every day of carnal pleasure or lukewarm

formality is a day lost to God-to your own happiness-to

eternity.

A word to the believer-Have you any doubts to clear up, any

peace to regain in the ways of the Lord? Make haste to set

your heart to the work. Make haste to the blood of atonement.

Be on the watch to "hear the Shepherd's voice," even if it be

the voice of reproof. Promptness is a most important exercise

of the habit of faith. Delay brings guilt to the conscience. The

blessing of conviction-the comfortable sense of acceptance the freedom of the Lord's service-is sacrificed to sloth and

procrastination. The work that is hard today will be harder still

tomorrow, by the resistance of this day's convictions. A

greater cost of self-denial, a heavier burden of sorrow, and

increasing unfitness for the service of God, will be the issue of

delay. Be continually therefore looking for some beam of light

to descend, and some influence of grace to flow in upon you

from your exalted Head. A simple and vigorous faith will

quickly enliven you with that love, delight, rejoicing in the Lord,

readiness to work, and cheerfulness to suffer, which will once

again make the ways of God "pleasantness and peace" to

your soul.



by

Charles Bridges

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