XVIII. Your Fruit Unto Holiness.

A few years since, I visited the home of my childhood, after an absence of more than twenty years. Imagine my astonishment, as I passed along the way where my weary feet had often trodden in my childhood’s days. A complete transformation had taken place. The wilderness had given way to well cultivated fields. It had truly been made to bud and blossom as the rose. The little log hut, once the home of the pioneer, had given way to stately mansions. The stillness that had formerly reigned in those regions, had passed away; and the hum of husbandry had taken its place. I realized that something had been done to produce this great change. Many a hard blow had been given in felling the trees; much toil in removing the timber, and burning up the underbrush. It then became necessary to introduce the stump machine, that the old stumps and roots might every one be removed from the soil. And then, what a transformation! I thought I saw in this a complete analogy of our natural, depraved condition, and the transforming power of the Holy Ghost. I realized, in some degree, the labor and suffering that had been given to produce these wonderful results.

My mind instantly reverted to Gethsemane; to Pilate’s Hall; to Calvary; to the Crucifixion; the precious blood; its all-cleansing power to remove the foulest stains that sin hath made; and blessed be God! to remove all the roots of bitterness connected with our old man, depravity!

But then, how are we to avail ourselves of this glorious power? Repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Without repentance, there is no approaching Deity. This must precede all acts of saving faith. Place it just as God has it.

Repent and believe the Gospel; and by this we understand godly sorrow, which will lead to a confession of our sins, and a separation from them, and restitution where possible.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from unrighteousness.” Here is the secret of success. Repentance! Repentance! “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth them shall have mercy.”

When old depravity has been thoroughly broken up by repentance, and the heart washed in the all-cleansing blood, then we have our fruit unto holiness. There will be a blessed realization that this consecration which we so frequently make with our lips, has been made with our hearts, and accepted by the Lord.

Whether, therefore, we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, it will be done for the glory of God. Your fruit—unto holiness, and your end—everlasting life.