The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-02-12
Sp ritual Life,EOr Experience and
Practice.

iuSllCSs
True Christianity is divided into two
branches-th that which is experimental,
and that which is practical. These are
often separated, though inseparable.
One man emphasizes experience, an
other stresses what may he termed eX-
ternal righteousness. In true religion,
the two always go together, and one Is
considered of rs much Importance as
the other. a religion that has no vita!
expericnce-no peace of God i'll the
soul, no joy in the Holy Ghost, no JOY
Gus hope of heaven, and no abiding
consciousness Of acceptance with God,
is only religion of form, and destitute
of all saving power. On the other
hand, a religion that is disconnected
with practice, that does not lead TO
obedience and outward conformity to
Gods law as the one and only rule OF
faith and action, is false and calculated
only to deceive its votaries. But unite
the two, AMI you have q religion-the
religion of the Biblc-that saves soul
and body from sin and all its conse-
ouences, here and hereafter. 1t is
both what we experience and what we
do that constitutes US Christ's disciples
and heirs of His kingdom. Except a
man be born again, he can not sec the
kingdom of God" "Christ is formed
in you, the hope Of glory" "Rejolce
in the Lord always" "Rejoice ever
more" 1.-The fruit of the Spirit is
love, JOY, peace" etc. Here is the eX-
perierce, rich and full. Without it,
religion is only o name-an empty,
cold, joyless, lifeless formality, not
withstanding all it's external parapher-
MALTA. aye are my friends if ye do
whatsoever say unto YOU" "Why
call We me, Lord, Lord, and do not the
things which I say" If any man
love me, he will keep my words" "lt
ye love me, keep my commandments" !"
Here is the practice-outward con-
formity of life to the precepts and
commandments of Christ, whom we
call, "Lord, Lord" in recognition OF
His absolute authority over us.
A religion comprehending these two
practical and eXperimental-ele-
ments, or vital principles, is religion
that will stand all the crucial tests Of
the day of final account, and is worth
to us infinitely more than all the self
denial and Standardization that it
costs us. Hence the true Christian diff
fers essentially, not only from all who
are profane and immoral in their lives,
but from all who are carnal and world
ly in their spirit. The life he lives IS
life "hid with Christ in God,"-a
spiritual life. Hc is "a new creature
in Christ" "created anew unto good
works.n He lives new lite-"old
things have passed away" and all
things have become new to him III
OnTlSU Jesus. llc ulli ShSo ih'i -
influenced and directed by the powers
of nature, the spirit of the world, and
the customs and habits Of men. His
life is life of carnality. He lives "in
the flesh," and "walks after the flesh"
The Christian is influenced by the
principles of divine grace, is "lcd by
the Spirit" and is governed by the
law of Christ. In him 'the flesh is
crucified with its affections and lusts."
He is "raieed from q death of sin unto
a life of righteousness. "I am cruci-
fed with Christ, nevertheless I live,
yet not 1, but Christ liveth in me- eX-
presses it all. Such is true Christiani-
ty, as it exists in the soul, and becomes
manifested in the outward life. See
Gal. ) l4-25, and Eph. 4 :17-32.
Reader, have you read the passages
referred to? Then what do you think
st. Paul would say of the life of many
professed Christians of our day and
time? What would he say of your
life? \. X. M.