Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1903-04-08

and the soul realizes how little the
world had TO offer after all. and how
worthy Of worship and praise God is
les, the door of escape from every
temptation Is found straight ahead
as the soul faces the temptation. The
Spring which will make IL swing wide
j. the magic touch of Jesus Christ. for
lie who has been tempted in all
points like a we knows how 10 sue
cor them which are tempted.
TEMpTATION comes TO all. u
serves the purpose Of testing \
piece Of steel is tested TO see how
much strain il will bear. 1t proves
ITS capacity for service by the amount
OF strain il sustainS without breaking.
The Christian is tested to prove his
capacity for service in the Lords
work. If he stands the pressure 81
the temptation he proves himself
capable Of larger service. If lac fails
it proves unfitness. Temptation
serves 10 strengthen his faith. If the
temptation is overcome. for the try.
ing or his faith worketh patience. and
when patience hath had her perfect
work he is entire and wanteth moth.
ing to make his character full-round.
ed and symmetrical one
blessed j. the man that endurtth
temptation: for when hc is tried. he
shall receive the crown Of life. which
the Lord has promised TO them that
love Him" The tested steel is valued
according to it's strength The test
cd CEri-tiau is declared blessed in fhc
estimation OF God according 20 The
degree of his endurance. and when the
testing Of this life i. finished he bows
before his King TO receive the crown
OF life.
Temptation is not sin. else would
not James admonish the brethren to
count it all JOY when We fall into
divers temptations" and Christ would
not have been subjected to the viii
dcrness experience. Sin leaves It's dis.
figuring mark only at the point where
temptation mas given place TO the com
mission Of the deed
Yield not to temptation. for yielding 10
sin f."
The testing did NOT put the weak
pot i'm the bar of steel and cause il
10 break The testing only served
TO reveal the flaw and prevent that
bar az steel being put into the engine
and thus averting certain rJsaster
and possible loss 81 life. Tie tcsqiny
Of tho Christian does not put the
weakness into his lifc which causes
him 10 Weld and stain his life with sin.
The testing revealed 10 him the weak
ness in his character and prevented
a possible greater disaster at a later
time. through that weakness If il
had not been ti-coycred
Goo doe, not tempt. but H. permits
temptation. The Warming Of Scripture
on This point is: "Lct no man say
when he IS tempted. I ann tempted -
God; for God cannot bc tempted with
evil neither tcmptcth Ho amy man"
God did not tempt Job but lie per-
mitted satan 10 test Him. satan is
made TO furnish The fire which tries
ont Cod gold lie is made 10 sweat
30 the service Of the Almighty. for
every blow he strikes against the
Christian who overcomes Iardens his
muscles and .teadics bis nerve 10
strike back the telling blow The hiss
ing serpent ON The ground that is
watching % favored opportunity TO
strike Us poison fang, into human
flesh becomes the chasteuing rod ~
Righteousness in The overcoming hand
~ man
r. certainly il reassuring and
prca! comfort TO Christian hearts
TO- know that Satan is chained lion
after al. and that while be may reach
them with his claws and wound them
sore a. they travel in forbidden paths
of sin where his chain admits II his
roaming. still he cannot crush the life
out and devour utterly j say this
know ledge s. rcassuriug aud comfort
ing. but the Christian who would wan
touiy presume on this knowledge to
go to unlimited lengths IN sin. would
give the unmistakable Evidence Of
being among the Judases who never
really belonge 80 the Lord Oh. our
faithful God. who will not suffer us
TO be tempted above that we are able
70 bear. Oh. our all-wise God. who
bas set q door Of escape ~ every temp,
tafioh which may assail the soul Of
man!