C.H.
Spurgeon was a Calvinist, Baptist preacher in London, England. He
was a faithful preacher of God's Word and a great evangelist in his
day. He faced opposition from liberals in the Baptist association in
what is known as the "Downgrade Controversy."
He
regularly published his thoughts in "The Sword and Trowel."
Here are a few excerpts from the December, 1887 edition.
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Oh
for a great and general revival of true religion! Not a burst of mere
excitement, but a real awakening, a work of the Eternal Spirit. This
would be a glorious reply to skepticism, and would act like a strong
wind in clearing the air, and driving away the pollutants which lurk
in the stagnant atmosphere. Let us pray for such a visitation of the
Holy Ghost with our whole souls. It is not only desirable, it is
essential; we must either be revived by the Lord himself, or the
churches will descend until error and ungodliness swallow them up.
At
the same time, we cannot expect a gracious revival till we are clear
of complicity with the deadening influences which are all around us.
The extent to which sheer frivolity and utterly inane amusement have
been carried in connection with some places of worship would almost
exceed belief. If any of our churches have been guilty in this
respect, how can they expect the divine Spirit to work with them? The
Lord our God is holy, and he cannot compromise his own glorious name
by working with persons whose groveling tastes lead them to go to
Egypt—we had almost said to Sodom—for their recreations. Is this
walking with God?
It
is a heart-sorrow to have to mention such things, but the work of the
Lord must be done faithfully, and this evil must be laid bare. There
can be no doubt that all sorts of entertainments, as nearly as
possible approximating to stage-plays, have been carried on in
connection with places of worship, and are, at this present time, in
high favor. Can these things promote holiness, or help in communion
with God? Can men come away from such things and plead with God for
the salvation of sinners and the sanctification of believers?
Brethren
in Christ, in every church let us purge out the things which weaken
and pollute. It is clear to every one who is willing to see it that
laxity of doctrine is either the parent of worldliness, or is in some
other way very near akin to it. Those who would have a blessing from
the Lord must avoid all this, and determine to follow the Lord fully.
Not only must they quit false doctrine, but they must receive the
gospel, not as dogma, but as vital truth. Only as the truth is
attended with living faith will it prove its own royal power.
Believers must also sweep the house of the leaven of worldliness, and
the frivolities of a giddy generation.
Those
who through divine grace have not defiled their garments must not
content themselves with censuring others, but must arouse themselves
to seek a fuller baptism of the Spirit of God. Perhaps these evils
are permitted that they may act as a sieve upon the heap gathered on
the Lord's threshing-floor. Possibly they are allowed that our
apathetic churches may be aroused. We know already of several cases
in which true ministers have gone over the foundation truths again
with their people, and have preached the saving Word with clearer
emphasis. In other cases churches have been summoned to special
prayer about this matter. This is a good beginning: let it be carried
out on the widest scale. As one man let us cry mightily unto the Lord
our God, that he would arise and plead his own cause. Now, if never
before, let those who are loyal to Jesus and his Word be up and
doing. A boundless blessing is waiting for the asking. We believe in
prayer. LET US PRAY LIKE ELIJAHS.
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