The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-29
WHY TRUE CHRISTIAN
MUST REFRAIN FROM SIN.
The Reverend George w. King Dis.
courses on Paul's AdmonitiOn
to the Romans.

The Reverend George w. King, the new
assistant pastor of First Presbyterian
Church. preached his initial sermon yester-
day morning, taking as his theme. SIN
Romans vi, 3: Now our belief 10 that, as
We have shared Christs death, We shall
also share his life" He said, in part:
There are many who have vague ioea
of what it means to be saved by grace.
Paul found such people walking along de-
liberately throwing shadows OF SIN over
the Christian life. He found that 1t was
necessary for him to speak very plainly
about certain great Christian truths TO the
men and women Of his generation. And so
he wrote this letter to the Roman Chris
tians; and TO every person In that COM
pany who had taken the name OF
Christ upon his lips. and yet had not given
up his sins. Paul proclaimed this truth:
1t Is impossible Tor Christian 10 coa-
tinue In sin!
Stated in this way it seems incredible
that this truth can be thought OF otner
than as an inherent hfe-princtpie. How can
one who believes himself a Christian keep
on INDUCING in his old sins! How can can
one be a follower Of Christ and yet live
on day after day In sin? 1t Is impossiple
for a Christian to continue in sin. Paul de,
clares. and so long as men are men ana
must struggle against the tendency to di-
yorce doctrine and conduct his ringing
words Will sound their warning.
This truth in the apostles thought Is
based upon three characteristics OF the
Christian life: A great fact great pr1ncl.
hope. L., a., ,. foot tina. makes
It impossible for a Christian to conunue ~
sin? We start with the man who has gwen
his heart to God. By that very act ne oe
comes. Paul says. such an one az is oes =
to sim This is the greatest crisis IN tne
spiritual history of q man when he torLns
the high purpose to follow Christ Gay py
day. This is what We call conversaon-tne
complete turning around in ones course ana
walking toward the object that moment
ago We were running away from. What q
change! The power OF sin, which yesterday
was SO triumphant over the sinner, TODAY
is broken and shattered. He Is as one oeso
to SIM
How is this change brought about? The
answer Is found in the second characteristic
specified: 1t is Impossible for Christian
reason-he has found a life-fellowship with
Christ. When man accepts Christ as ms
with his whole life. Henceforth the power
of sin is not to be the dominant one In
his life But this does not mean that ne
knows nothing of sin. viii sin ever rush
not stay submerged. He will battle with the
waves and master them by the help Of his
Savior. Paul emphasizes this life-union with
Christ In all his teachings.
But PauIs thought in this passage does
not stop with the Christians past life OF
his present experiences. What does the fu-
in fanciful speculation or in day dreams
| He warns the Christian that 1t is impossi.
| BILE for him to continue in sin because OF
| his new hope for the future. Pauls hope
ton. Through this passage rings the tri
umphant note of faith that because Chris
| died and was raised from the dead. SO alst
shall we. who participated In his death
| have a part in his resurrection. Life is thu
| result of the cross. not death-life In tn,
| fullest, grandest measure. The life tina
/ went forth from the rock-hewn tomb OF
that memorable first Easter morning wal
the golden dawning Of a grander day.
1T Is impossible for a Christian to con
| Christians, because Of this great fact. tina
| by conversion the sinner becomes dead Il
| SIM He cannot continue in sin because Of
his vital union with Christ. the sinless man
He cannot remain in sin because OF hi
great hope for the future-the attainment o.
eternal life.
Don't make q mistake. my brother, ant
let tho tempter convince you that you cal
keep on In your cherished sin. Throw aside
the sin that hln6srs you IN your Chf1stlal