(Arthur Pink, "Eternal Punishment")

It is the deepening conviction of the writer,
that what is most needed today, is a wide
proclamation of those truths which are the
least acceptable to the flesh.

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting
forth of the character of God—
His absolute sovereignty,
His ineffable holiness,
His inflexible justice,
His unchanging veracity.

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting
forth of the condition of the natural man—
his total depravity,
his spiritual insensibility,
his inveterate hostility to God,
the fact that he is "condemned already"
and that the wrath of a sin-hating God
is even now abiding upon him!

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting
forth of the alarming danger which sinners
are in—the indescribably awful doom which
awaits them, the fact that if they follow their
present course only a little further—they shall
most certainly suffer the due penalty of their
iniquities!

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting
forth of the nature of that dreadful punishment
which awaits the lost—
the awfulness of it,
the hopelessness of it,
the unendurableness of it,
the endlessness of it!
Excepting the Cross of Christ, nothing else
so manifests the heinousness of sin—as the
doctrine of eternal punishment.

It is just because these truths have been
withheld so much from public ministry to
the saints—that we now find so many
backboneless, sentimental, lop-sided
Christians in our assemblies!

A clearer vision of the awe-inspiring attributes
of God—would banish much of our levity and
irreverence.

A better understanding of our depravity by
nature—would humble us, and make us see
our deep need of using the appointed means
of grace.

A facing of the alarming danger of the lost
sinner—would cause us to "consider our ways"
and make us more diligent to make our "calling
and election sure."

A realization of the unspeakable misery which
awaits the lost (and which each of us fully merited)
would immeasurably deepen our gratitude, and bring
us to thank God more fervently—that we have been
snatched as brands from the burning, and delivered
from the wrath to come! It would also make us far
more earnest in our prayers—as we supplicate God
on behalf of the unsaved.

__________________
Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann.
Members of Redeemer Church ARP, Blacksburg Va.
http://www.redeemerblacksburg.org/