Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 21

"We have before proved _both Jews and Gentiles_, that _they are all under sin_." Verse 9.

5. What do transgressors bring upon themselves?

"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh _the wrath of G.o.d_ upon the children of disobedience." Eph. 5:6.

6. Who awakens the soul to a sense of its sinful condition?

"When _He_ [_the Comforter_] is come, _He will reprove_ [_convince_, margin] _the world of sin_." John 16:8.

7. What are fitting inquiries for those convicted of sin?

"Men and brethren, _what shall we do_?" "Sirs, _what must I do to be saved_?" Acts 2:37; 16:30.

8. What replies does Inspiration return to these inquiries?

"_Repent, and be baptized every one of you_ in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." "_Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ_, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 2:38; 16:31.

9. What will the truly repentant sinner be constrained to do?

"I will _declare mine iniquity_; I will be _sorry_ for my sin." Ps. 38:18.

10. What is the result of G.o.dly sorrow?

"For G.o.dly sorrow _worketh repentance to salvation_." 2 Cor. 7:10.

11. What does the sorrow of the world do?

"The sorrow of the world _worketh death_." Same verse.

12. How does G.o.dly sorrow for sin manifest itself?

"For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a G.o.dly sort, what _carefulness_ it wrought in you, yea, what _clearing of yourselves_, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." Verse 11.

13. What did John the Baptist say to the Pharisees and Sadducees when he saw them come to his baptism?

"O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Matt. 3:7.

14. What did he tell them to do?

"Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." Verse 8.

NOTE.-"There can be no repentance without reformation. Repentance is a change of mind; reformation is a corresponding change of life."-_Dr. Raleigh_.

15. When G.o.d sent the Ninevites a warning message, how did they show their repentance, and what was the result?

"And G.o.d saw their works, that _they turned from their evil way; and G.o.d repented of the evil that He had said that He would do unto them_; and He did it not." Jonah 3:10.

16. What leads sinners to repentance?

"Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that _the goodness of G.o.d leadeth thee to repentance?_" Rom. 2:4.

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

John The Baptist Preaching Repentance. "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." Matt. 3:8.

Confession And Forgiveness

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Mary Magdalene's Repentance. "According unto the mult.i.tude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions." Ps. 51:1.

1. What instruction is given concerning confession of sin?

"Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespa.s.s against the Lord, and that person be guilty; _then shall they confess their sin which they have done_." Num.

5:6, 7.

2. How futile is it to attempt to hide sin from G.o.d?

"But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and _be sure your sin will find you out_." Num. 32:23. "Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance."

Ps. 90:8. "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Heb. 4:13.

3. What promise is made to those who confess their sins?

"If we confess our sins, _He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins_, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

4. What different results attend the covering and the confessing of sins?

"He that covereth his sins _shall not prosper:_ but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them _shall have mercy_." Prov. 28:13.

5. How definite should we be in confessing our sins?

"And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned _in that thing_." Lev. 5:5.

NOTE.-"True confession is always of a specific character, and acknowledges particular sins. They may be of such a nature as to be brought before G.o.d only; they may be wrongs that should be confessed to individuals who have suffered injury through them; or they may be of a public character, and should then be as publicly confessed. But all confession should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very sins of which you are guilty."-"_Steps to Christ_," page 43.

6. How fully did Israel once acknowledge their wrong-doing?

"And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy G.o.d, that we die not: for _we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king_." 1 Sam. 12:19.

7. When David confessed his sin, what did he say G.o.d did?