"And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day!" John 6:39
There is not a shadow of doubt in the Christian's security. There is not a broken or weak link in the chain which binds the believer to eternal blessedness. There is not a step lacking in the ladder which reaches up from the depths of sin — to the heights of glory. "For those whom God foreknew — he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. And those he predestined — he also called; those he called — he also justified; those he justified — he also glorified!" Romans 8:29-30. These are the links in the Christian's hope as Paul saw them. In the words of today's text — we have the same links as they appeared to our Savior's eye. The assurance is, that Christ will never lose any soul which intrusts itself to Him for salvation.
An old Christian sailor put it well. When asked if he was afraid when the storms were very high; he answered, that according to the Bible, God held the waters "in the hollow of his hand;" and ever if the ship were wrecked, and he should fall into the sea — he would but drop into his Father's hand! That is what death is to a Christian, however and wherever he may die — breathing his soul into the hands of God.
The grave seems dark — but we have Christ's own pledge here, that not one of His own shall be lost or left in the grave. No matter where we die, or where our bodies lie — we have the Savior's word — which we had better receive in simplicity, without questioning or doubt — that "I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day." John 6:39
Be the first to react on this!
J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.