APATHY;
LORDSHIP OF CHRIST; JESUS CHRIST: LOVE FOR

It is rare now to see a transforming conversion. The average convert becomes one by a series of compromises, whereby he surrenders something to gain something and dickers for his salvation like a huckster. The thought of unconditional surrender to the Lordship of Jesus never enters his mind.…

The significant words of prophet and apostle were “I saw … I heard … the heavens were opened … I saw the Lord,” and other like expressions. Today we try to substitute a pale, waxy “faith” for such vivid encounters. No wonder the Church has taken on the general tone of a convalescent hospital instead of the camp of a victorious army.

[Another] cause of our lack of moral enthusiasm, as I see it, is the absence from our experience of an object for the heart’s devotion. The great spiritual souls of other days had such an object. In the Old Testament they were frankly and unashamedly in love with the Most High God, and when He became flesh and dwelt among us He came still nearer to the hearts of His people. Paul’s heart exploded into a burning volcano of love for the Lord Jesus.

Acts 26:13–19; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 3:4–11

The Price of Neglect, 25, 26.