Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-01-10

will depends upon our own action. II
is not enough to hear the word. II saves
by bringing us into relations with God
and his Son, our Saviour. by producing
in us new principles, by making US new
creatures. II must be obeyed.
point here to be noticed is the force
of the word "doers." 1t implies contin
usnce, habit, daily conduct. mot every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord
shall enter unto the kingdom OF God. !"
The gospel which does not shape the
character and rule the life, cannot save.
The word is here compared to a mir.
ror. Asa man beholds his face in a
mirror, so he may perceive his moral
character and need in Gods word. That
word shows him what he is. But il is
not enough to glance at this, and
straightway forget it. One must steadily,
intently, patiently look into the word
mnst continue therein by cherishing
the memory OF what he discovers; must
do this with a seriousness which can be
content with nothing short of newness
OF life.
The gospel is a law of liberty in that
it invites to free, glad, loving service,
and because it delivers from the bond.
age Of sin and fear and death. And he
who, coming TO this, adds doing to hear
ing is blessed in his deed; that is,
even in doing he shall find b'essedness
For in the keeping Of welcome precepts
there is great present reward.
I, Some important tests ofhe H0o nature
Hstruh il rgposri 10 have wrought IN u.
The very opening sentence OF these /
verses is a warning against Feliieceit, |
and this is now again repeated. Moth. |
ing is easier than to dcludc ourselves in /,
the matter of religious service. lie is .
not wise who is content to "sccm TO be /
Religious" or who "thinks" himself to /
be so without reason. In lesser things .
we make sure much more should we
10 this in affairs Of the soul and rcls-
tons with God. The word religion"
as here used. points to eternal service
and worship rather than to the essence
in the heart. And what wc are told In
these closing verses is that il is not
enough that this should be dccorcus
and even unremiltinr. With II ther
must also be a correspondence Of char
acter and moral conduct. The oorre-
will appear in briilcd speech.
in active pity for the needy and dis.
trcssed, and purity Of heart and life.
How many fail al, these roiuts How
many regard them hs Of secondary i'm.
poriance And yet in what other
things do We more surely declare
whether the truth has truly made Us
new creatures in Christ Jesus, or
the old nature is still master
Unbridled tosRuea, selfish hearts, spo,
ted lives. where these are. the word Of
truth has ye, TO do its work.
PRACTICAL sucgrsTIoSs. /
J. Mistakes in religion may be fatal,
therefore, do not err; be sober, watch.
'ul, siudious and pFayerful against
errors.
. What tenderness there Is in the
4 postle's address my beloved breth.
-en.' There is great power in loving
words.
3. By whatever means or hands good
hinrs come to us, they are Gods gifts,
.ttesting bis goodness. Should We not
rust, love aud obey him?
4. II Is Of Gods gracious will that any
q US are made new creatures and his
,wn truth is the instrument Of the
'hange; the praise is all his.
3. God saves none apart from their
,wn activity IL is for ua To hear. heed
md obey his word, If we would be sub.
ecis OF bis grace.
6. Can we bear the tests Of new ma.
ure presented in these verses or are
ye only seemingly religious Guarded
peech, Christlike lore. personal purity
n thought as we'll as act-Are these
,urs?