Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-04-13
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning April II.

Beginning April IL.
Topic.-How Christ transforms lives
Rom, XIII l, .; Phil. iii, % q.
The Christian transformation of
human life is its complete change from
sin, selfshness and worldliness to the
love and service of God in Jesus Christ.
1t is the entire conservation of our in
ward and outward lives to God The
heart is changed, and the life is chang
ed. We present our bodies, living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is our reasonable service" More
over, we are mot conformed to this
world" we do not have our lives fash
ioned after the world, but are trans
formed, changed in spirit and in life.
That Christ can transform the hui
man life is indisputable. This fact is
not only thoroughly testified to in the
Scriptures, but abundantly proved n
human history. Saul of Tarsus, the I'M
believer and prosecutor was trans
formed into one of the most devout ad-
vocates of Christianity; Augustine, the
infidel and skeptic, became a true de-
fender of the faith; John b. Cough,
Francis Murphy and many others have
been turned from the power of strong
drink to sober and powerful advocates
Of temperance and sobriety; prodigal
sons and daughters have been changed
into most obedicnt and faithful sons
Fr1,arnfarp in -inr
of Christ as one who is able to trans
form lives, we are speaking of fact
and not a fiction. And all unregener-
ate hearts and lives need to be chang
ed, for 1.-The natural heart is enmity to-
ward God, for it is not subject to the
law of God; neither, indeed. can be"
1t needs, therefore, to be transformed,
and Christ alone can transform it,
But how does Christ transform lives?
Paul answers this question in Rom. xii,
2, when he says. BE We transformed by
the renewing of your mind The word
mind here includes the entire psychical
being-emotions. affections, conscience,
intellect and will. The entire inward
man must be renewed, and this is done
by the power of the Holy Ghost. 1t is
His especial office work to regenerate
the human soul, TO renew our minds.
to transform the inward motives of
life, which will also result in the trans
formation of the outward life. And
enc of the most efficient agencies
through which we receive the power
Of the Holy Ghost 10 regeneration is
prayer. Whoever is convicted of the
sinfulness of the old life and desires
and prays for the new will not be de
MED. This was the psalmist's expert
ence. Convicted of his sinfulness, he
prayed, Create in me clean heart,
O God, and renew a right spirit within
me-" His prayer was answered, and
so will ours be.
But complete transformation is not
accomplished in the life. Christ's work
Of transformation begins here. but ii
does not end here. When He comes
again He ''shall fashion anew the body
of our humiliation, that it may be con-
formed to the body of His glory.
Now are we the sons of God, but il
doth not yet appear what we shall be;
but we know that when He shall APP
pear we shall be like Him. for We shall
see Him as He is
BIBLE READINGS.
Gen. vi. 8: Ps. Ii, I'll; Eek. ri. 1921;
xviii, 1892; John ii, Ill; iii, 1-16;
1 Cor. XIV, 51-5S: Gal. v, 1926; Phil.
iv, 6, 8; John iii, 1-3.