The apostle Peter tells us that we, as Christians, should be ready always to give an answer “to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:1515But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15)). I suppose every young Christian who shall read these pages is able to promptly answer the question, “Why do you expect to spend eternity with the Lord in glory?” You say, “I know I shall spend my eternity with Jesus because God says in His Word, ‘As many as received Him, to them gave He power (or the right) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name’ (John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)). I have received Him, therefore I know I am God’s child. Then the Word tells me that If children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.”
But in the present day of denominational confusion it is not enough for the young Christian to be able to give a reason for his hope of glory. There are other questions that equally demand a. “reason,” and in the things of God a ‘“reason” is only a “reason” if it is based on some statement of His Word (Acts 18:2828For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 18:28)). Today the professing Christian church is split into hundreds, of differing companies; each has its adherents, whether they be a dozen, or a dozen millions. Now it ought to be a perfectly permissible question to ask any professing Christian, “Why are you a Methodist?” “Why are you a Catholic?” “Why are you a Baptist?” “Why are you a Presbyterian?”
I was talking with a young man recently who told me that he considered the choice of a “church” in the same light as the choice of a college. It was a matter of individual taste and preferment. No doubt many Christians regard the matter in the same light, but such an attitude is simply monstrous presumption in the light of Scripture. I beseech every Christian who may chance to read these words, to answer the question seriously, “Why am I where I am?” “Did God’s Word place me here or was it the choice of self, parents, convenience, or social position?” I meet many Methodists who can not give me one reason why they are Methodists rather than Presbyterians. I meet Baptists who know no reason why they shouldn’t just as well be Methodists, etc. Young Christian, awake! God holds you responsible for where you are. Simply because “father and mother were Quakers, I will be,” is childish talk in the light of plainly revealed Scriptures. “Because the Congregational ‘church’ is the only one in the town where I live, I must be a Congregationalist” is inexcusable ignorance God’s provision as revealed in His Word. Paul might as well have reasoned when he was in Athens, “There are no Christians here so I’ll have to ascend the Acropolis and worship the great goddess Athena.”
Nor do I stop here. Let some of those who profess to be gathered to the Lord’s name alone, outside of all sectarian ground, likewise answer this plain question, “Why am I where I am? Perhaps I ought to be a Baptist or a ‘Christian.’ Am I sure this is my place?” Because you have been brought up in this position is no reason whatever that you should abide there. If some one asked you, “Why do you not belong to the ‘Open Brethren,’” could you “Give a reason for the hope that is in you?” O, young people, in the midst of the awful indifference to the things of the Lord that is everywhere today, stand somewhere and know why you stand there.