The Atlanta constitution., 1902-07-07

AAAaAlH@ MAAAG a UNIV ENNs @-+N-N
slu net--I Iuhn Ii, l.
L may be fairly presumed that John
knew what he was writing when he
set down the above statement His
words need no labOrcd Interpretation.
They are plain. simple and go straight
t. the truth he desired to impress
upon the Christian church.
lie SAYS that the things which he
writes concerning Ch.-st are suffi-
cient. if honestly received. believed
and followed. 20 keep any man from
sin Tie life al Christ was a sinless
life--leaviug us an example that
We should follow in His steps: who
did no sin. neither was guile found in
Ills mouth Therefore. John. with
the other apostles. believed that the
example az Christ was reprOducible
and tine duty of duplicating il was the
sum OF Christian cndeavOr.
Sin Is not a subject of much mys-
terry. The motives that induce TO il
may be various and often hidden to
the human understa tanding. lying far
below the face of the transaction it
self. but that sin is a deliberate and
wiIful act of transgrcssiOn Of known
law Is not deniable in the case of any
rational man. The act of sin pivOts
on choice and they who choose TO sin
do So because they prefer sin 10 right
eousupSs
Christ was tempted I'm all points as
we are" That does not mean that He
was tempted under the same ciTcum-
stances and with the identical objects
that We are. Times. laws, customs
and inventions offer in their ages mul-
tfform temptations 10 men But all
these appeal 90 the same spirit OF lust
and Iawlessness. There are but three
points im human nature that are
temutahle and they are the same in Us
is they were in Christ Every appeal
IL the flesh. the world and the devil
Is directed TO one or other OF these
three points.
The nrst and most accessible point
in MS az winch temptations are aimed
is our flesh Our bodies are the ever
perishiue and wasting parts OF our
mortal life. To each ~ us il is hourly
appealing through its necessities. its
auuefites. its weaknesses. whether
natural or acquired hy Indulgence and
fixed in habit The things which Of
Ter bodily satisfaction. comfort, eN-
nilaratiUn ami fanCied good make
strong appeals to us and form the oc-
casIous for yielding To- eNCesses and
-auless qualifications II was 10 this
point in Christ that Satan appealed
when Dee found Him fasting and tempt
sl Him 90 satisfy His hunger by con
yertiu- stones into bread
The second temptable point is in
Tho mind. We have been made reason
moral
God heets Ills own work in so cndOw-
ing MS ami saying Come. now. let us
reason together" consents 20 argue
with MS the wisdom and equity OF His
thoughts and ways as compared with
our own We reason upon our ways
AM form judgments ahead OF our
deeds Thar determine our characters
ana careers To our minds are pre-
seutCI the iuuumeraule temptations
10 rhIuh otherwise than along the
straight. plain truth of God We lean
10 our uun ruicrst andings. or the per
suasluls ot pride. and lust. ana world
illness. or uT eviI spirits OF men and
Satan. and $50 reject the wisdom oi
God for fha more convenient and
seemingly profitable wisdom OF the
world It was 20 this lust aLi pride
of self tLat the Devil aimed when he
tempted Christ tC cast Himself from
the pinnacle of the temple and call 10
Ills protection the angels 90 heaven.
Tie thiri and most fatal point Of
human nature is the spirit 0f man.
We have a spiritual nature wholly sep
arafe from our physical being IN It's
functions and determining character
wholly independent % the lusrs OF tho
al Hrf faf
the mind. It possesses kpprchcusions
TAR above the reach of ratiocination
ana powers that DO not depend for
action upon physical eXeTtiOns. Il is
that part of us which Is the gift of
God the spark divine which illumines
the soul ani supplies Il with dynamic
energies that reach the degree Of ON
ufnofeuce- NJ is the will-the sover-
eIcn power-in man II IS that ego
which elects u serve or sin-tO
obev God or 10 defy his COM
rrardrlents. II was 10 that spir-
Il that Satan drove his last assault
when he tempted Christ with the gifs
Of the kingdoms Of the world for one
act nf homage.
The failure uf Satan 70 break down
The guard az Christ az any one Of
those flFee NuAA-1 NlAAtA AAr NdAi pdASA
for tho personal conquest Of Christ.
After that he could only assault Him
through external agencies. prosecute
Hin and hound Him 20 the death of
the cross
In Ike manner are we tempted.
Every persuasion TO sin assails us az
one or more Of those three points OF
human nature which We possess in the
same fashion and extent that they
were in Christ. Our bodily lusts and
anuetites are tempted; our mental
pride and ambitions are assailed; or
our spiritual sufficiency and powers
are sought to be seduced. Whatever
the nstrlment-whether liquor or IL
centiousness infiaming the flesh. or
office and applause leading captive
the mind. or free thinking and self