Dare to Be Bold And Decided Now

Now, am I one of them? 

If I am, 

• I should fear for myself,—
• I should tremble for myself,—
• I should be alarmed for myself,—
• I should be exceedingly afraid

What is it that I should fear for myself? 

• I should fear everything. 
• I should fear that I will persist in rejecting Christ till I have sinned away my own soul. 
• I should fear that I will be given over to a reprobate mind, and awake no more. 

I should fear that I will come to such deadness and hardness of heart, 

• that nothing but the voice of the archangel and the trump of God will break my sleep. 

I should fear I will cling to this vain world so closely, 

• that nothing but death will part it and me. 

I should fear that I will live without Christ, 

• die without pardon, 
• rise again without hope, 
• receive judgment without mercy, 
• and sink into hell without remedy

I must be warned...

• I must be solemnly warned to flee from the wrath to come. 
• I must be entreated to remember that the Bible is all true, 
• and must be fulfilled,—
• that the end of my present ways are misery and sorrow,—
• that without holiness I shall not see the Lord,—
• that as one of the wicked I shall be turned into hell, 
• along with all the people that forget God,—

That God shall one day take account of all my doings, 

• and that if I remain a Christ-less sinner, 
• I can never stand in His sight, 
• for He is holy, and a consuming fire. 

Oh! that I would consider these things! 

• Where is the man that can hold his finger for a minute in the flame of a candle? 
• Who shall dwell with, everlasting burnings?
• Who shall dwell with, everlasting burnings?

I know well the thoughts that Satan will put into my heart, as I read these words. 

• The Enemy knows well the excuses that I could try to make. 
• He will tell me, “Christianity is all very well, but a man must live.” 
• I must be able to answer, “It is quite true a man must live, 
• but it is no less true that he must also die.” 

The Enemy may tell me, “a man cannot starve.” 

• I must be able to answer, “that I do not want any one to starve, 
• but neither also do I want anyone to burn in hell.” 

The Enemy may tell me, “a man must mind his business first in this world.” 

• I must be able to answer, “Yes! and the first business a man should mind is his eternal business,
• the business of his soul.

Readers, I plead with you in all affection to break off your sins,—

• to repent and be converted. 

I plead with you to change your course,—

• to alter your ways about Christianity,—
• to turn from your present carelessness about your soul, 
• and become a new person. 

I offer to you through Jesus Christ the forgiveness of all past sins,—

• free and complete forgiveness,—
• ready, present, everlasting forgiveness. 
• I tell you in my Master’s name, 
• that if you will turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, 
• this forgiveness shall at once be your own. 

Oh! do not refuse so gracious an invitation. 

• Do not hear of Christ dying for you,—
• Christ shedding His own blood for you,—
• Christ stretching out His hands to you, 
• and yet remain unmoved. 

Do not love this poor perishing world better than eternal life. 

• Dare to be bold and decided. 
• Resolve to come out from the broad way which leads to destruction. 
• Arise and escape for your life, while it is called to-day. 
• Repent, believe, pray, and be saved.

Readers, I fear for you in your present state. 

• My heart’s desire and prayer is that God may make you fear for yourself.

Adapted Excerpt From

Startling Questions

J. C. Ryle