The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-04-04
The Bible Standard of Life.


Your Bible promises pardon and heav-
en- between the two points does it put
any commands on us as to the life we are
to lead, the character we are to exhibit?
Or now that we are forgiven, is that all
it requires, until we are freed from this
world of temptation and sin? Look it
over and settle the matter. If it puts
its commands on us as to our life and
character, where does it draw the line, so
as to adapt itself to our weakness and
sinful tendencies? If it exercises any
authority In the matter of character, it
must necessarily draw the line some
where. Will you search and find it.
What sort of compromise with the nat
ural heart and sinful tendencies does it
propose The Bible is wise book,
safe guide, and speaks with absolute au-
thority. Where does it excuse sin in
life or heart? Where teach that we are
to go through lille the slaves of unsanc-
tilted hearts and sinful surroundings, and
so excusable for living as we do?
Gods Worlds practical; it is for fallen
men for men who have been redeemed
out of the degradation of sin, and who
for years are to remain in the world with
its tempting adversary and thousand
daily avenues of temptation. But for
all that, has the Mighty One of Israel
any word or excuse that permits one Of
his children to stop short of a complete
salvation ? These are searching inquiries,
and we must not dodge them. Our
standard is in the Bible and not in hui
man teaching or opinion. The Bible is
plain and simple, and we need be in no
doubt if with honest hearts we receive it.
Does it inculcate any other life for the
believer, but one that is holy and pure in
heart life where sin has no dominion,
but love to God controls the entire be-
ing where the old man" is put off, and
the new man" put on; where the " blood
of Jesus cleanses from all unrighteous-
ness, where there shines out as on the
brow of heaven the command, "be ye
holy ?"
1t is meetness for an instantaneous
summons to the New Jerusalem and the
presence of the Great King, that is en-
Joined upon us here and now, and meet
ness such as that leaves no place for com
promise with SIN. If we find this is the
duty, and God commands it, we may de-
pend upon it, that back of all his iniunc-
tons he himself stands to work in the
believing heart with such might and
power as he manifested when he raised
Christ from the dead" Measure your
duty and your privilege by that fact, and
not by whatyou see in doubling souls
about you or in the weakness of your
own purpose and effort. God asks moth
ing Of us, for which he does not make full
and abundant provision that we may
meetit; otherwise he would mock us, and
that he does not and cannot do he salts
fes the longing heart and exceeds our
farthest thought.
Believe, then, first, that the utmost
standard of holiness laid down in Gods
word is attainable second, that it is re-
ceived by faith in Gods word, backed by
his own mighty power and third, that
not TO attain it is to live in disobedience.
And then let us magnify the greatness of
Christs salvation in our lives, by acting
and believing up to the greatness of his
own marvellous provision Tor our deliver
ance.