How can you refuse?

The plan of salvation by Jesus Christ is very clear and very plain: it is, “Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Often times our hearers say, “Oh it is so easy, so very simple-nothing to do but just to trust in Christ.” My dear hearer, if it be so simple, why not receive it?

“How they deserve the deepest hell
That slight these joys above!
What chains of vengeance must they feel
That break these bonds of love!”

If to trust in Christ be so simple, how can you refuse to believe in him?

Why will you live an unbeliever when God himself has said, “He that believeth not shall be damned.” Oh, fly from unbelief, which is the root that beareth gall and wormwood.

From a sermon entitled "The Root That Beareth Wormwood," delivered December 2, 1866. Image by Mikael Miettinen under Creative Commons License.