Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-04-06
(Origtnal.]
CO.LABORERS.

Extremes are usually not far apart, and
in morals and religion are universally wrong
There are two errors, both fatal, into which
we are prone to fall. We are apt to conclude
that we must do something to merit saliva
ton. This is dangerous error. If we can,
by anything that we may be able, either to
do or suffer, merit the redemption of our
souls, then Christ obeyed or died in vain. In
other words, if it is possible for us to save our.
selves, then we have no need of Saviour.
Such theory is not only opposed to reason,
but it does violence to all the precepts of the
Bible, and is contradicted by the providence
of God. Reason, the scriptures, and the
providence of God, all declare the human
race need Saviour. No greater insult can
be offered God than for any of Adams lost
race to merit his favor without Saviour 1t
can not be done with impunity. God has
provided Saviour. To reject that Saviour
and depend upon our own ability to merit
Gods favor, is extreme madness. This is an
error which turks in every mans bosom. We
all have to strive against it. Nothing but
the enlightening influences Of the Holy Spir-
it can give US such humble notions of our.
selves as to enable us to feel that we are en-
tirely without merit.
The other extreme is this Since we are
saved by grace, not of merit, we are apt to
conclude that we have nothing to do. This
is an error equally dangerous with that men.
toned above. The man who folds his arms
in spiritual idleness, will never see heaven.
God never designed that man should be an
idler. When Adam, in his original purity,
was placed in the garden Of Eden, God COM
manded him to work. He had bodily and
spiritual work to perform. His bodily work
consisted in exercising dominion over the
other creatures of the earth, and in dressing
and keeping the garden of Eden. His spir.
itual work consisted in praising God. God
never designed that any of his creatures
should be drones To each he assigns work
to do. In the salvation of our immortal
souls, we are co.workers with God.
We are not required to redeem ourselves.
God does this with the blood of his own son.
We are not required to recreate ourselves.
Inc IIvly eri.i- 1~-- -i----o ora.~.~ .-.o, -'.~r-
ever, many other things besides our redemp'
ton and regeneration required, before we can
enter heaven. Redemption gives US, so soon
as we accept of it, legal right to heaven /;
and when the Holy Spirit regenerates us we
become the children of God. But before we
can enter upon the enjoyment of the purchas-
ed inheritance, We must be made fit for it.
With the Holy Spirit we must labor and
strive, that we become holy. Without holi.
ness, no man shall see the Lord.
In the work of fitting ourselves for heaven,
we are co-workers with God. The flesh, with
its lusts, must be crucifed. Holiness, which
is implanted by the spirit Of God, must be
cultivated and caused to grow. In this work
we are laborers. God never requires us to do
what we can not do, and what He, either in
creation in grace or in providence, has made
us able to perform, He will not do. We
can not do Gods work, and God will not do
our work.