It is the nature of the gospel to irritate those who are opposed to it and comfort those whose hope is in it. So it is contrary to the spirit of the gospel for preachers to be raising up objections to the confidence of those who profess to believe it. It is not the job of preachers to tell people whether or not they are saved; rather, it is their job to preach the means by which God saves His people and leave it to God to either convict of judgment or convince of salvation. The Gospel (called the Word of God in Hebrews 4.12) is able to discern the hearts of men. All we need do is preach it and men shall know where they stand in relation to it. If gospel preaching does not convince a man of his lostness, we telling him he is lost will not do it.
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