“He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” Rev. 21:7

To be a true Christian is not so easy a thing as some suppose.

It is not merely . . .
true beliefs,
an evangelical creed,
a scriptural church,
a comfortable sermon once or twice a week.

It is not this, which constitutes Christianity.

You, who think religion so very easy a thing, be apprehensive lest, when too late, you find that you knew not what true religion meant.

Easy?

A depraved being to trample upon his lusts? A proud being to lie prostrate with humility and self-reproach? Those who are “slow of heart, to believe,” to receive the Gospel as little children?

Easy?

To “crucify the flesh,” “to deny ungodliness,” “to cut off a right hand, and to pluck out a right eye?”

Easy?

To be in the world, and yet not of the world; To come out from it, not by the seclusion of the cloister, but by holiness of life; to be diligent in its duties, yet not absorbed by them; appreciating its innocent delights, and yet not ensnared by them; beholding its attractions, and yet rising superior to them?

Easy?

To live surrounded by objects, which appeal to the sight, and yet to endure as seeing what is invisible?

Easy?

To pray and see no answer to prayer, and still pray on; to fight this battle, and find fresh foes ever rising up, yet still to fight on; to be harassed with doubts and fears, and yet walk on in darkness, though we see no light, staying ourselves upon God?

Easy?

To be preparing for a world we have never visited, in opposition to so much that is captivating in a world where we have always dwelt, whose beauties we have seen, whose music we have heard, whose pleasures we have experienced?

Easy?

To resist that subtle foe who has cast down so many of the wise and the mighty?

Easy?

When Jesus says it is a “strait gate,” and that if we would enter we must “strive,” bidding us “take up our cross daily, deny ourselves, and follow Him?”

Ah! it is no soft flowery meadow, along which we may languidly stroll; but a rough, craggy cliff that we must climb.

It is no smooth, placid stream, along which we may dreamily float, but a tempestuous ocean we must stem.

It is no easy lolling in a cushioned chariot that bears us on without fatigue and peril. If we are to be saved, we must “overcome.”

“He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” Rev. 21:7

Christopher Newman Hall was one of the most celebrated nineteenth century English Nonconformist divines and was known in later life as a ‘Dissenter’s Bishop’. “Come to Jesus”, first published in 1848 also contributed to his becoming a household name throughout Britain, the USA and further afield – by the end of the century the book had been translated into about forty languages and sold four million copies worldwide.