Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-06-15
ETERNAL LIFE is POSSESSION.


BY Rev. ". j. williamson.
In the chapter from which the text
is taken we learn that the Hebrew
Christians were suffering great perse-
cution Every possible method was
used TO cause them to apostatlze from
their Christian faith 1t is the at
tempt of the author to encourage them
by setting forth the fact that Judaism
had been fulfilled in Christ and that
the jew, in becoming Christian, was
but recognizing the completion and
glorifica ton of the Jewish faith. The
writer is also pointing out the heaven
" compensation for their earthly suf-
ferings and losses.
The text is so worded as to EN-
plastic this heavenly Inheritance in a
most beautiful and impressive manner.
The writer calls to their attention the
fact that they have an inward assur-
ance which amounts to knowledge. The
deepest truths are often better known
to us than many of the simpler ones.
1t is the privilege OF every Chris
to God. TO have such assurance is
not to be boastfu1. but is, in fact,
simple, childlike faith in our Heaven
ly Fathers promises. Again and again
Jesus spoke to his disciples of their
salvation and of the power of the
Father and of himself TO keep them
until they We're safely within their
Fathers house. We are often exhorted
by the Bible to possess this assurance.
The language of the inspired writer's
is always language of certainty. Job
says,-"I know that my Redeemer
liveth." The apostle whom Jesus loved
knew that he had passed from death
unto life, and Paul, having committed
his way unto Jesus, speaks in words of
suhlimest confidence. If we believe
i'll Goo and his Word, and if we love
him and are seeking to serve him with
our whole heart, then we are to go
on our way rejoicing in the confidence
that our God will redeem every prom
Use.
The text also seeks to remind Chris
tians that they have already entered
into this possession. Eternal life does
not begin at death, but rather when
Il man first becomes a child of God.
Jesus always spoke of eternal life as a
present possession. Death removes a
Christians limitations, and enlarges
and ennobles his life, but that life
which Christ bestows at conversion is
called eternal life.
Heaven will not be strange to a
Christian t is to be the completion
of the life here begun; the fulhllment
of all his hopes. He has long been in
fellowship with the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. and has been long anti
cipating the very things which will
then come to pass. Like the bird in
autumn, which longs for the South
land, the Christian was given at his
new birth the wings for flight.
We are also to remember that the
text individuallzes humanity. We
lose ourselves in the crowds of men
and very often the individual does not
count for much. However. when i'm
mortality is bestowed upon a man, he
possesses it in his own right. The
very heart of Jesus teaching is found
in the love of the Father for us. and
in the fact that heaven knows us and
deals with us as individuals.
The writer would emphasize the
fact that the things that are to come
are better than the things now pos
sessed. The Christian cannot be other
than an optimiSt. The Bible gives men
courage and hope because it always
foretOkens victory. If the way seems
desert now. beyond lie green pastures,
and the still waters. BE assured God
will abundantly reward his children
for every act of faithfulness. The
light Affections are ~orklng for us an
exceeding weight of 'lory.
1t is the part OF wisdom to seek
to possess this enduring inheritance
We live in n world of change. The
fashion of this world passeth away.
Soon. very soon, changes are to come
IN the business and social circles in
which we move, and the place that
knows us shall know US no more.
Let US endeavor to .limate at some
thing like their real worth. We need
not work blindly ard come up at last
with bitter regrets as we behold the
inevitable separation from things tenn
poral, 1t is the privilege of every
man TO have the hottest joys of this
world, and at llfe's close receive the
crown of righteousness that fadeth not
away. Once more, perhaps for the last
time. let us hear Christ's unanswcrabl
question; What shall it profit man
to gain the whole world and lose his
own soul?'