For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. - Galatians 5:5
We are in the habit of saying, "There are only two classes of people in the world; those who are saved and those who are lost: those who have accepted Jesus Christ and those who haven't.” I suppose that this is actually true, but oversimplifying the great work of justification and regeneration has led to some great errors.
1. The error of easy believism and decisionism. Men walk the aisle, make a decision and rest in this refuge.
2. The error of the carnal Christian theory. One accepts Jesus as Saviour and later on, if convenient, makes him Lord of his life.
3. The error of carnal security. If one has made a decision for Christ at sometime in his life, he is eternally secure and can never he lost.
4. The error of religious exhibitionism. "I've found it" is shouted from the bumper of his car. "Its fun being saved" is pinned to his lapel. Tomorrow he may get mad and quit, but today he is "gung ho" for Jesus!
The Lord has hedged us about on the one side with precious promises lest we despair and the other with strong warnings lest we presume! Oh for the marks of a real work of grace, the evidences of real revival, when men and women who are being saved walk before God in humility, in faith, in meaningful confession of sin and with a broken heart and contrite spirit. "We through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." (Gal. 5:5).
"Here I raise mine ebenezer—
Hither by thy help I'm come;
And I hope by thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home."
Better to press with strong desire into the kingdom than to sleep with the foolish virgins in the lap of presumption, and to hear the door shut while we hunt oil!
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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