Letters    

TO A COMMON THIEF

November 13, 1991

     It is evident that you have no intention of paying for the work done for you.

     By your lying and stealing, you apparently have no regard for God, nor concern for your soul. It looks very suspiciously as though you are a child of the Devil, and whose portion is only in this life.

     As God has called me to preach His everlasting Gospel, I call upon God to make your table a snare, and to shut up Heaven to your prayers. Sincerely.

OF A SHREW

Dear W. C.                                                                                                   August 16, 1993

     G. L. is publicly profane, and on numerous occasions has cursed and blasphemed her neighbors. She refuses to teach her grandchildren common civility and decent manners, but chooses to telephone the police on her neighbors who withstand her grandchildren on account of their profanity, and general misconduct. She summons the police on her neighbors as many as 3 times each week. Her neighbors are not her enemies, but would like to be her friends; but she cannot be reasoned with.

TO A TREMBLING BELIEVER

Dear T. F.                                                                                                    February 27, 1991

    ...God is great, and God is good. He is great in His goodness; and He is good in His greatness. The English word "God" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "good." The German words for "God" are "Godt" and "Gott" and come from the German root meaning "good." The root of the Arabic word for "God," or "goda," is the Arabic word "good." Scripture says, "He that cometh to God must believe that he is AND that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). Knowing, therefore, that God is good, I know He will not mock anyone who comes to Him. But "faith" involves 3 ingredients: knowledge, assent to that knowledge, and the application of that knowledge (i.e. acting upon it). Faith is believing what God says is so.

    I believe you have cause to rejoice because "It is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). God has given you this great concern for your soul, and be confident of this very thing, "that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (1:6).

    Jesus is the "Author" and the "Finisher" of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Unlike men, God does not begin a work and leave it unfinished. Continue to seek until He gives you assurance that you are His, and that He is yours. Love and Prayers.

ON INJURED FEELINGS

Dear B. S.                                                                                                  November 18, 1987

       ...Hurt feelings are like boils that fester in the soul. It is always best to "lance" them, and to get out all the "pus" instead of allowing them to poison our spirit. ...

TO A WOMAN IN PRISON

Dear M. G.                                                                                                   December 8, 1987

      D. J. was very concerned about you, and asked me to write, and to enclose something that might in the hands of God prove to be a blessing to you. I am therefore enclosing a book entitled A Call To The Unconverted. It was written by Richard Baxter who lived in England in the 1600's, about the time of the founding of our nation.

      Richard Baxter was reputed to be the greatest preacher in his day. On one occasion as he was preaching in his house to a small group of earnest Christians, someone fired a shot at him through the window. Fortunately, no one was injured. If God has given you any serious thoughts about the supreme issues of life, death, heaven and hell, I have a correspondence course in three parts that I would like to send to you. This excellent course is written by Charles Shofstahl, and can be ordered directly from him at— Pilgrim Brethren Press, P.O. Box 171, Petersburg, Ohio 44454

The first booklet asks questions concerning the doctrine of God, and gives Bible verses to be looked up and written in the space provided. The second booklet deals with the doctrines of Man and Sin. The third deals with the doctrine of Salvation.

      As for the enclosed book by Richard Baxter, you will find 7 great truths taught:

     I. That it is the unchangeable law of God that wicked men must turn from their sins, or die in their sins;

     II. That it is the promise of God that the wicked shall live if they will turn from their sins;

     III. That God takes pleasure in men's conversion and salvation, but not in their death and damnation: He had rather they would turn and live, than go on and die;

     IV. That the Lord has confirmed it to us by His oath, that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that he turn from his sins and live;

     V. That God is so earnest for the conversion of sinners that He doubles His commands and pleadings with them;

     VI. That the Lord stoops to reason the case with sinners, and asks them why they will die and be damned;

     VII. If after all this, men will not turn from their sins, it is not God's fault they are condemned, but their own. They die because they choose rather to be damned than to turn from their sins. May God be pleased to apply His eternal Word to your heart on account of His Son who loved us and gave Himself for us.

Contents

Previous Next