";s:4:"text";s:4555:" And when the centurion, another pagan, applied to him to come and heal his child, he did not reject his suit because he was a heathen, but said of him, "Verily, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And it is a preposterous thing for such to delay coming, under the delusive hope of making themselves fit. It is too obvious to need any remark, that a mere bodily approach is not the thing intended. "But we read in Jeremiah of the Lord calling upon his backsliding Israel to return, Jeremiah 3:12; and in Hosea, God says, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely." But see, the golden scepter is held out. This they never can do, and if they could they would not need a Savior. Confess the righteousness of the sentence which condemns you, and accept the punishment of your sins as just. Venture on him. But how can I come to Christ with this blind and stupid heart?
They are invited to apply to him in all their guilt and pollution, that they may from his gracious hands receive pardon and renovation.3. This in common cases is true; but it is also true, that when some very great and unexpected good news is brought to us, we find it very difficult to credit it.
When Jacob's sons returned to their father after Joseph had made himself known to them, and informed him that his son Joseph was alive and governor of all Egypt, the old man could not believe the report until he lifted up his eyes and saw the wagons which had been sent to convey him to Egypt.
The ages of those converted on the day Pentecost and at other times are not given. Aug 27, 2019. by Pat Marrin. And every redeemed and renewed soul is a jewel in the mediatorial crown.We may learn the willingness of Jesus Christ to receive sinners, not only by his frequent gracious declarations, but by his conduct in regard to such as applied to him. At first, indeed, he seemed to give her repulse, but it was intended only to bring more clearly to view the strength of her faith. The conversion of a single soul is the work of God only. The devil often tempts aged sinners, and others too, to believe that it is now too late for them to repent; that the time of their visitation is gone by, and that there is no hope for them.
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