The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-04-08
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Beginning April II.

Beginning April II.
Topic-How Christ transforms lives
Rom xii, l, 2; Phil Ill, 20, q.
The Christian transformation Of a
human life is its complete change from
sin, selfishness 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
ion I'd after the word, but are trans
formed. changed IN spirit and in LIE.
That Christ can transform tie l3u-
man life IS .ndi-putable. This fac is
not only thoroughly testified 10 in the
Scriptures. bit aoundantly proved IN
human history. Saul of Tarsus, the I'M
believer and prosecutor. YVES trans
formed into one o. the most devoat ad-
vocates of Christianity; Aus;,:s iHe, the
infidel and skeptic, became 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 obedient and faithful sons
and daughters Therefore, in speaking
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 1t 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
one OF the most efficient agencies
through which we receive the power
of the Holy Ghost to 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 a clean heart,
o God, and renew 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 1t
does not end here. When He comes
of our humiliation, that 1t may be con-
formed to the body of His glory.
Now are we the sons of God, but it
doth not yet appear what we shall be;
but we know that when He shall ap-
pear we shall be like Him, for we shall
see Him as He Isl
BIBLE READINGS.
Gen. vi 3; Ps. Ii, I'll; Eek. II, 1921;
xviii, 1892; John ii, Ill; ill, 1-16;
1 Cor. XIV, 51-5S; Gal. v, 1926; Phil.
Nv, g. 8; John iii, 1-3.