Remember, that the throne of grace is ever near at hand, and that the ear of the Eternal God is ever open to your cry! For you—the gate of mercy is ever open—the Savior is every pleading—the Spirit is ever “ready to help your infirmities.” Go to that throne, assured that, in Christ Jesus, there is treasured up an infinite, inexhaustible, mediatorial fullness of grace—and that, out of that fullness, you are invited to partake! “Go to it in emptiness—and you will return filled! Go to it in sorrow—and you will return comforted! Go to it with guilt—and you will return pardoned! Go to it with sin, backsliding, and infirmity—and you will return healed, restored, and supported!” 

   Do not be ashamed to confess Christ in your daily life. Oh, how many are so—afraid to be deemed pious—afraid to be thought of as enthusiasts—afraid lest men should “take knowledge of them—that they have been with Jesus.” They will strive, and struggle, and toil, to acquire earthly riches—give their whole heart’s devotion to the world—and waste the energies of mind and body, in the effort to outstrip others in the race for wealth. They are not ashamed to be known as worldlings, but they are ashamed to be deemed pious! They can be cold, unimpressed, and indifferent, when a pious subject is brought before them; but warm, interested, and engrossed, when the conversation is of this world—its business, schemes, and projects. Brethren, let it not be thus with you! 

Sermons of John MacDuff - John Ross MacDuff