If there is, one feature more characteristic than another of the present hour, it is in subjection to divine authority—positive resistance of the truth when it demands unqualified obedience and self-surrender. It is all well enough so long as it is truth setting forth, with divine fullness and clearness, our pardon, our acceptance, our life, our righteousness, our eternal security in Christ. This will be listened to, and delighted in. But the very moment it becomes a question of the claims and authority of that blessed One who gave His life to save us from the flames of hell, and introduce us to the everlasting joys of heaven, all manner of difficulties are started; all sorts of reasonings and questions are raised; clouds of prejudice gather round the soul, and darken the understanding. The sharp edge of truth is blunted or turned aside, in a thousand ways. There is no waiting for the sound of the trumpet; and when it sounds, with a blast as clear as God Himself can give, there is no response to the summons. We move when we ought to be still; and we halt when we ought to be moving.
Reader, what must be the result of this? Either no progress at all, or progress in a wrong direction, which is worse than none. It is utterly impossible that we can advance in the divine life unless we yield ourselves, without reserve, to the Word of the Lord.
Saved we may be through the rich aboundings of divine mercy, and through the atoning virtues of a Savior’s blood; but shall we rest satisfied with being saved by Christ, and not seek, in some feeble measure to walk with Him, and live for Him? Shall we accept of salvation through the work which He has wrought, and not seek for deeper intimacy of communion with Himself, and more complete subjection to His authority in all things?