The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-23
70 REACH Perfection.
: We Must Attain That Stage Through
the Slow Process Of
Growth.
Hneering at q Christian Because
He is Sometimes Weak
is Folly.
ron Street baptist Church Yester-
day Morning.

1.-THE Christian, q New Creature was the
theme of the Rev. @, Is. Aliens discourse in
the First Baptist church yesterday morn
ing. His text was: Therefore IL any man
be in Christ, he is a new creature;'' II.
Cor. v:17. He said: To say that a man is
a Christian is not to affirm that he is per-
feet and sinless. Such a man does not
live. The text afirms only that the Chris
: tian is a new creature. But while he is
still sinful there is a sense real and distinct
in which he is a new creature. This fact is
noted in varied language in the word Of
God. The Christian is one who sis made
alive unto God" "is created in Christ
: Jesus" has put off the old man with his
leeds, and put on the new man, This
fact is clearly illustrated in the life of
Paul. He left Jerusalem to go to Damas-
Gus to persecute the Christians there. When
he left Jerusalem he despised Jesus of
Nazareth; when he reached Damascus he
would have died for Him. When he left
Jerusalem he gloried in his own righteous
ness and despised that which is by faith in
Christ; when he had reached Damascus be
had cast aside his own righteousness as
filthy rags, and rested in, and gloried only
in the righteousness of Christ.
When he left Jerusalem he despised the
knowledge of Christ. When he reached
Damascus he had determined to know moth
ing among men but Christ md him cruel
fed. He was a new creature when he
reached Damascus. A new creature is also
every one who has become a disciple of
Christ. He has not had the same exper-
fence that Paul had, but the essential thing,
nSupn n rs Iifn ha hnn - - ,c ,,~k - rl>.-
tian. And that new life in him is apparent
to all.
And you will observe that this new crea-
ture Is not of mans own creating. Man
can no more create himself a new creature
in the Christian sense than he can create a
world. We are His workmanship created
In Christ Jesus, is the Bible way of putting
it. But because man cannot make OF him
self a new creature he is not thereby re-
lieved of all responsibility, in the matter:
He has somewhat to do. His it is to heed
the spirits call to heartfelt repentance of
his sins, to turn ava from them to God,
to put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and commit himself honestly and wholly
and for all time to a life that shall be gov
This done, then the gracious spirit performs
his office work n man becomes a new
creature. Now this new creature must and
will manifest itself.
1t will manifest itself as a life and a
growth. The law of the spiritual is NAL
thoughtless infant-then the child with
childish fancies-the youth with youthful
enthusiasm and immaturity, and then at
last the strong full grown man. So the.
Christian. To sneer at Il man who pro-
fesses to be a Christian, because he is some
times weak and always imperfect is abys-
maj folly. One might with as much pro-
prlety sheer at the great clumsy, awkward,
gawky boy OF fifteen. He is awkward and
ignorant, but he will grow into a strong
man. Your imperfect Christian with faith
in God and love for Christ is better than a
king on his throne, who has no love for God
in his heart. He will grow into strength.
If we bear in mind that this new creation is
a life, it will explain our lack of spiritual
strength or our slowness to reuoh it. We
must reach perfection through the slow
process of growth. Be patient, therefore.
and this fact will account for the apparent
want of spiritual life in many who have
been Christians many years. They have
forgotten that their Christian life is a
growth with which they have to do. This
Failing to get that we may still be Chris
tian, but sickly and stunted all our days.
Again this new creation manifests itself
In the law which governs it. The natural
man is a law unto himself. Tit Christian
yields obedience to the law of God and
eoAAVoS w E!o" AAIo bAo peI1eCtlOn OF nOll-
moss sccording to the principles and pre-
cepts of Gods word Again this new crea-
ton manifests itself in the popularity of its
life. 1t is a spiritual life. 1t has the Holy
Spirit as it's author, it is therefore life-like,
God supernatural, holy. And again this
new creation reveals itself in a new and
q higher conception of the true end of life.
That end is to live for Christie do ali
whether We eat or whatsoever we do-for
the glory of God. Ii you have never seen
made a new creation by the power of God,
then you are without God md without hope
in the world. If you have seen made a new
creature in Christ Jesus then live as a new
creature should live. Let it be apparent in
speech, conduct and character that YOU are
a child of God. Seize life's noblest aim
toll for it-live for it.
Bon Ton open day and night. Strictly
first class.