BLIND SOLDIER EVANGELIST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 4 May 1938, Page 8

BLIND SOLDIER EVANGELIST

FIVE STEPS IN TRIE REPENTANCE The Baptist Church continues to be full night after night with those desirous of hearing Mr Johnston preach Taking as his text. "Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto Salvation,' 'he said. "I have yet to meet those who have any regret at having turned to Christ, and I have met many who bound and crippled by sin. have been unable to do as they would like and turn to Christ. Repentance is man's act whereby he puts himsefl into such a position as makes it consistent for a Holy God to save him. Sin in one form or another is the curse of the world, and God cannot )>ossibly save people until they are willing to forsake sin. Salvation is deliverance from Sin.” "There are five steps.” said Mr Johnston. "in true Repentance. First there is Conviction. which means that people arc conscious of their need of forgiveness. If there is nothing in you that responds to the Gospel, cry to God to awaken in you a sense of your need, that God will acuse the Holy Spirit, the Word and the Conscience to work together as agents in bringing conviction to your soul. The second step is Contrition, here Mr Johnston reminded his hearers of the story of King Saul 1 and the Amalekitcs. Saul disobeyed God's command and when rebused by Samuel, only said. "Honour me now' before Israel and the ciders.” There was no contrition there, only pride, said the speaker, but contrast that with King David, who rebuked by the prophet for his grievious sin humbled himself to the dust in true contrition. Confession was the third step. He that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but he that confcsseth and forsaketh sin shall obtain mercy. The fourth step wa« Conversion, which was a complete turning around, and starting off in a new direction, and restoring that which is stolen, not only money, but making good the hard words, and getting into light relationship with our fellow men. The fifth step was the all important one of Confession of Christ. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation ’ The world respects a man w ho is not ashamed of h<s colmirv but sneers at one who is only halfhearted Jesus said that whosovere confessed Him before men. He would confess before His Father, but whosever denied Him before men. He would deny before His Faith in Heaven Mrs Johnston sang. "Where w ill you spend Eternity."