The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1904-11-12

Jesus? she asked. And he explained
that It was loving the good and doing
good and living In harmony with the
teachings Of Christ. He told her she was
a Christian without knowing it And
this cultured and benevolent young
woman eventually accepted his view OF
the case and united with his church.
God grant that the work of Gods grace
had been wrought In her heart and that
she was really born into the Kingdom Oh
God, but such views and methods as
were held and pursued by this pastor
are pernicious and dangerous, and are
the means of getting into the churches
an nnregenerate element which event
ua.ly may destroy the spiritual life and
e1angelizing force of the church. Il is
ilsurpation Of the Divine prerogative!
& is destructive OF the true mission OF
Christ to the world! Il is direct and
positive ignoring Of the plain teachings
OF the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
/ 7 IS not new Gospel which this age
I OF culture and refinement has discoy-
cred, nor is this twentieth century to
see a new door opened into the Kingdom
o. Jesus Christ. The modern liberal
preacher Of the day may arrogate to him
self great wisdom and learning and may
evolve doctrine and method which will
appeal to the unregenerate but cultured
and pol1shed-that is the renovated
lIVzs of men, and bring them within the
pale Of the church, but he can never gain
the keys Of Heaven which will unlock
Unknown and unheard Of doors and ad-
nit the multitudes who are living like
Christians, but who have never felt the
eonvicting and converting power of
Gods Spirit. 1t may prove source of
qualification to enroll the names of such
upon the books of the church, but it can
not prove pleasing and acceptable to
God. Until God writes across the blue
sky OF the heavens q revocation OF the
conditions laid down In His Word by
which man is to be admitted to the King
dom of Heaven. cannot believe or &C.
eept anything but the doctrine of the new
birth. It Is not renovated race which
Is to walk the streets of Heaven and en-
Joy delightful fellowship and commun-
ion with God and His dear Son. There is
no place for "made-over" man in Heav-
en-. He must be a new creature He must
be born again. He must know Christ as
the Saviour from sin. and the One in
Whom he becomes acceptable to God.
Jesus Christ said that Except
q man be born again, he cannot see
the Kingdom Of God. IL believe He
meant just exactly what He said. And
when He goes on to define the new birth
as an operation Of the Spirit of God. and
something distinct and apart from the
operation OF the flesh, or the natural
man. know that Salvation is not some
thing which man can get himself into by
his own effort, but something which God
does for him, for by grace are We saved
through faith; and that NOT OF YOUR
SELVES; 1t is the GIFT OF GOD" And
Il the new birth is an operation of the
Holy Spirit, and / hear Jesus say that
the Spirit shall convince Of sin and
and judgment to GOMEZ
I know that the test Of membership In
The Kingdom of God Is not what man is
IN his external life, that 1t Is not what he
does for himself, even though he pro-
duce character that bears likeness to
Christian principles. but that it is tess
# what the Holy Spirit has done with
n the heart do not believe that It Is
possible for one to experience the re-
yenerative work of Gods Spirit and live
n utter ignorance Of the blessed trans
'ormation. for God plainly declares that
the Spirit beareth witness with our
spirit that we are the sons OF God"
There Is witness within which is better
Ind more reliable than all the external
evidences of church mem ership or ex-
eallences of character The solemn
charge to Nicodemus is one which cones
D every soul: Eye must be born again.
t fg not: Ye must be made over, We
must be renovated. for at the very best
when you get through you have the
anne old man for that which is born OF
he flesh is flesh" But 1t is: aye must
be born again" Ye must be regenerated.
Re must be made anew.
| Y AD Jesus been talking to the sinful
. woman who had come In repent
nee to anoint His head and feet with
Ill. or with Zaccheus, the despised and
ated publican, it would not be strange
hat confusion should arise as to the
Ieed Of and meauin g q Tegsuer alton i
can be readily understood how the
woman OF the town and the extoTttonate
ax-gatherer needed to be made new
.reatures. but when it was Nicedemus.
hat splendid. Ged-fearing and God
Ike man, who was being plainly and |
told that except he was
reated anew by the Spirit Of God. no
natter what his standing in the syna- |
ogue and the community, he could |
ever see the Kingdom of God. it puts |
different light upon the matter AND. |
b. men and women of to-day, who are |
onscientiously striving to live accord
lg to the precepts of Gods Word. who
re giving of their time and their effort
) make the lives Of others brighter
nd better. oh, ye modern Nicodemuses.
0 not be blind to this great and solemn |
sndition which bars your entrance to |
10 Kingdom Of Cod God cares not |
,r your standing among men II your |
landing with Him has not been made I
IRE through the cleansing and saving
over Of Jesus blood. God cannot ac-
ut your righteousness Il you are ac-
opted at all 1t must be through the