Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-04-16

Topic For Week Beginning April 20.
Comment by Rev. =. n. Doyle.
Toprc.--Ifow can know that I am saw
ed7-John viii. 81, 30; John Iii. IA; Rom.
viii. lilo; John ", J.
Can know that am saved? This
is question that has been asked by
many an anxious Christian. Some have
concluded that assurance is possible.
Others have declared that it is impossi-
BILE and the testimony in favor ef 1t an
unwarrauted presumption. The topic
ASSUMES that positive knowledge is
possible Up9n this subject. The fact
must always precede the method We
must know that we are saved before
we can heil how we knew It. And this
IL undoabteiy the Seriptrai and only
rational view to take epon this sub
feet Tbal sc may be saved and have
no way Of knowing it is a prepostegohs
superstition III is contrary TO the
teachings &c Gods word dob says. Il
know" Paul says. Il know" and John
fairly bristies with assurance. His
principal epistle is practically an elab-
Grafton of this precious doctrine. 1--WE
know is its keynote. And if Job,
Paul and John could have assurance.
so may all Christians. The contrary
doctrine is as unreasonable as it is
unscriptural. 1t is indispensable that
one could be born again. be truly the
child of God. and not have any way of
knowing it.
But since assurance is possible, how
do we know that we are Christians,
that we are saved for time and for
eternity? Several answers 10 this
question are suggested in the topical
references:
l. We know that we are saved by the
testimony of consciousness. God offers
salvation through faith in His SonJesus
Christ. Now, If we have really accept
ed Christ, if our sins have been par
doned and we stand righteous before
God, in the righteousness of Christ.
there's a consciousness within us that
tells US that this is SO. Our spirit
beareth witness within us that "we are
the children Of God" and consequently
saved How could it be otherwise?
Who could live in filial relation with
God. enjoy the fellowships and bless
ings of sonship and not know it?
2. We know that we are saved by the
testimony OF the Holy Spirit. Our
spirit beareth witness that we are the
children Of God, but not only so-''The
Spirit Himself beareth witness with
our spirit Tor corroborates the witness
or testimony of our spirit that we
g. ~. - - Iaix.
Ghost in an inexplicable way gives us
the sweet inward assurance that we
are Gods children and are saved.
8. We may know that we are saved
by our lives. There are outward as
well as inward proofs of this doctrine
the testimony of life. both in its rela-
ton to Christ and in it's relation to our
fellow men. IF ye continue in My
word" says Jesus, then are We tno
doubt about It'll My disciples indeed.
and We shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make We free" Christians
as well as trees are known by their
fruits. If by faith in Christ we are
living Christian lives. are doing His
word. we are His disciples and cannot
help but know the truth about it, and,
knowing that we are His, we are made
free from the law and its worries and
exactions. This includes also our lives
in relation to our fellows I'VE know
that we are passed from death to life
because we love the brethren" "for
love is of God. and every one that low
eth Is born of God and knoweth God"
Blessed assurance Jesus is mine.
Oh. what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born Of His Spirit, saved by His blood.
L - BIBLE READINGS.
Job xix. 25, 90; lisa. xxi, II; John
Z, IA; Rom. will. $3.50: Col. ii. l-3;
Thess. i, is; II Tim. |, STA; Hen. vi.