Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-11-16

II.
Fathers Word all earthly honOrs are vanities,
in comparison with the heavenly glOries and
blessings which may be surely attained BY the
called" Of this gospel hge-f they viii but
follow the divine directions the terms upon
which the election will be determined
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ELECTION.
In text st. Peter tells Us upon what terms
the called and accepted may make their election
sure. After calling our attention to Gods ex-
cedng great and precious promises he tells Us
that they were given US with the intent that
they should operate in our minds so as t. in
fluenee our lives. in harmony with the divine
viii; and that thus we may become parttkers
corruption that is in the world through desire,
selfishness. lust. " ~ he proceeds to am
plify. end urges that such as have this hope
shall give all diligence to the matter OF adding
TO their faith virturei OF fortitude. That Is
10 say faith of itself is very good as start.
but God requires more than this. AS c5ndi-
tiOn Of our acceptance for election He requires
that our faith shall be Of a strong kind. giving
fOrtitude for all of LIES affairs; for all our
covenants with the Lord; for faithful erdur-
ance Of opposition, contradiction, etc, that thus
might be copies Of our Lord Jesus Christ,
as God has ordained that all Of sthe elect
must be.-Romans s:2s. fr
Not only must have strong faith COM
hined with forti,ude but we must also add
/ knowledge" We required some knowledge Of
God and of our Lord Jesus and Of the gospel
message before could come unto the Lord at
all. but the apostle Is not referring to this,
earliest knowledge. He Is addressing Chris
tians who have already taken the first steps.
ne dSnuESS US tudL Luey ueeO kuOWAeu6o 70 en-
able them TO go onward in Christian develop
ment-knowledge in addition to their faith and
fortitude. We have nothing to say against
worldly knowledge, scientific knowledge, etc.,
when these do not cross or interfere with the
divine revelation, but we are confident that the
apostle did not intend to refer to worldly knowl-
edge, but to the greatest of all scientific knowi
edge-the knowledge OF God.
How shan we know Godf By study OF his
character. Our Lord Jesus It was who declared
This is life eternal. that they might know
thee The only frua Cd am Christ srho
thou hast sent" John 17:3.) This knowledge
at the present time IS a secret knowledge and,
can be known only by those who put Themselves
into certain attitude Of heart and mind and
conduct toward the Lord and His revelation.
We are to study Gods character-to leara re-,
His power. BY studying His revelation-the
P1ble. In 1t we see his dealings past, anc His
promises respecting His dealings future. And
n correct appreciation Of these gives know1-
edge Of Gods character exemplified therein.
But since this knowledge is not stated in terms
for the world to understand, it follows that
lightened by the Holy Spirit can receive this
knowledge II is taught only to the pupils In
with them that fear Him; and he win show
them His covenant. psalm 2514.
OTHER GRACES 10 BE ADDED.
The apostle continues lis advice as TO things
Necessary to be added by those who would make
their calling and election sure. They must keep
ADDING and the he adding must Be little By nttls
-
God through His Word should lead Us TO greater
moderation TRANSLATED, temperance, in our com
mon versionl. Let your moderation be known
unto all men, (Phn., 4:5), moderation or bal
once In thought, IN word, in action. Gods poo
pie may be called extremists by those not be
gotten Of the Holy Spirit and who know not
1.-THE mystery" But even they shold be able
to charge immoderation only the one score
our immoderation, faithfulness, to the Word
OF the Lord and to our covenant OF self-sacs1flce
as followers in The footsteps Of Jesus Our lives
should be so moderate respects business and
pleasure and food and raimcnt, ETC., that we
should be examples Of wisdom and moderation
TO all-extremiSts only along the same lines That
Jesus and the apostles were counted extremists
''the mystery" OF their end9aYor to be or 'too
very elect"
to moderation. 'Iet patience have her perfect
work that ye may be perfect and entire, want
ing nothing" Next, add godlikeness-genera
goodness, benevolence, benignity toward oil. Add
next brOtherly kindness-in the natural family
relationship and also in the spiritual family,
the church. Love as brethren ought to Aove'.
eve ought also to lay down our lives for the
BRETHREN" stin further, the apostle urges that
while all Of the foregoing are elements Of love
we suDeradd love itself IN the fullest sense
humanity. toward the brute creation and toward
our enemies. While all Of these cannot De
loved I'm the same degree, all should profit by
the spirit OF love In our hearts for al.
''YE SHALL NEVER FAIL"
Now comes the climax Of the advice to those
seeking to make heir calling and election sure
w. 81. IF these things be in you and abound,
they make you that We shall be neither barren
nor unfruitful IN the knowledge Of eur Lord
Jesus Christ" And then ss our text declares,
If these things abound and II We give dnigencs
TO the making sure OF our calling and election
end do these things, we shall never fsH-Wo
shall IN no case fail Of securing eur election.
God Ceeketh such for Jointheirship with their
Redeemer in the kingdom. God 'seeketh s1ch
to worship Him as worship Him in spirit and
IN truth"
The grand contamination OF our electicn-our
kingdom hOnors and glOries, are specifically re-
ferred TO by st. Peter in the next verse, say
irg 'fFor so sn entrance shall be minastercd
unto you abundantly into the everlasting king
dom Of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. II,
dear brethren, we believe these things, let rs
permit them to control our lives-our words.
our deeds snd our thoughts surely We can
we'll afford to be considered foolish along lines
Of the sacrifice OF earthly interest, II thereby
VIC can develop the character which our Iord
desires and prove ourselves worthy OF snare
in hts kingdom, according TO the terms ana con-
diticns Of the election, as Sod has distinctly
laid them down in His Word.