Hindrances

Overcoming Hindrances. — You remember in John Bunyan’s Life he says that one Sunday, when he was playing on the village green at a game of cat, he was just about to strike the cat when a voice came to him from heaven, and said, “Wilt thou have thy sins and go to hell, or leave thy sins and go to heaven *?” And he stood there in the midst of his companions and paused, and they could not think what ailed the tinker while he was disputing in his mind which it should be, Christ and heaven, or his sins and hell. Now, whatever your hindrance is — be it money, be it worldly ambition, or be it any fond passion of the flesh — whatever it is, give it up. If it be thy right hand, thou hadst better cut it off, and cast it from thee, than keeping it seal thine endless doom. If it be thy right eye, ‘twere better for thee to pluck it out, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Overcoming Difficulties. — I have known a brother wanting to go abroad to preach the gospel to the heathen, but a great many difficulties have been thrown in his way, and therefore he has said, “I can see that I am not called to go.” Why not? Is no man called unless his way is easy? I should think myself all the more called to a service if I found obstacles in my way. The course of true service never did run smooth. I should say, “The devil is trying to hinder me, but I will do it in spite of all the devils in hell.” Will you always be wanting to have your bread buttered for you on both sides? Must your road be gravelled, and smoothed with a garden roller? Are you a carpet knight, for whom there is to be no fighting? You are not worthy to be a soldier of Jesus Christ at all if you look for ease.

Meet Difficulties Bravely.- — I was once staying in the north of Scotland, where there was a ferocious dog chained up. He came out and I patted him, and he jumped up with his fore- feet upon me; I caressed him, and he seemed particularly fond of me. The master came out. “Come away, my dear sir,” said he, “that dog will rend you to pieces.” But I did not know it, and when I passed by he seemed to know I was not at all afraid of him, so he didn’t meddle with me. In like manner, Christians, be not terrified at your adversaries.