The religion of the Lord Jesus is valuable only as its power is experienced in the heart. In this respect, and in this only, it may be compared to the physical sciences, which, however ingenious in structure, or beautiful in theory yet, if not reduced or reducible to purposes of practical use, are of little worth. It is so with the truth of Jesus. The man of mere taste may applaud its external beauty, the philosopher may admire its ethics, the orator may admire its eloquence, and the poet may admire its sublimity but if the Spirit of God does not take His own truth, and impress it upon the heart, as to the great design of its revelation, it avails nothing.
What numbers there are who rest in the mere 'theory' of Christianity! But as a practical principle they know nothing of it. As a thing experienced in the heart it is a hidden mystery to them. They speak well of it as a religious system; they believe its Divinity, and even defend its doctrines and extol its precepts yet make no approaches towards a personal and practical obedience to its claims. In a word, they know nothing of repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. It will surely appear to a spiritually-enlightened mind, a subject of vast and solemn importance that this delusion should be exposed that this foundation of sand should be undermined and that the absolute necessity of experimental religion, as necessary to an admission within the kingdom of glory, be strenuously and scripturally enforced.
[Octavius Winslow]
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2 Timothy 3:5 ... Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
1 Peter 4:6 ... For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 ... For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.❤
