Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-14

so also is rhe right doing. OF the Divine influ-
ence in our hearts working in US both to VIII
and to 10 Gods good pleasure, st. Ieter gives
word TO the point, saying, WHEREBY are
given unto MS exceeding great and precious
PROMISES; that by these We might be partakers
of the Divi2e nature. III Pet, Ia.
WORK CUT YOUR OWN SALVATION.
We have heard many improper prayers pre-
sentcd at the throne of grace by well lnteh-
toned but misiuformed children of God. Many
Christians request God to do for them mat
which He tells them they must do Tor Them
selves TIL who asks amiss sometimes
leaves the throne of grace confident That Col
will do for hi, what God has neve, promised
"a do for anybCdy, but has told us each must
do for himself. Many pray, Abandon us nor
IN temptation" but deliver us from the evIl
one ana then walk straight into temptation,
wholly ne glectihg the directions Of Gods Nori.
Indeed. many neglect the study OF that Nord
that they not aware what are its teachings.
Its cuunselS-respecting Satan and the tempta-
lions from the world. the flesh and the devil,
to which all. must be more or less exposed Tor
their testing and character development.
Some pray to God to save them by Ills JlVln
power and expect Him TO work miraculousy
in them. while they are giving the best OF their
tire ana talent and Influence to business or TO
pleasure OF to Disqualification. Such need -
learn tn. meaning Of our text, Work ,out your
own salv ltion with fear and trembling. They
reed to learn the meaning Of the apostles
words, Keep yourselves In The love OF God.
Grd absolutely refuses TO 'i"Il with us as ma
chimes. More Il IN this He refuses TO coerch
to push, to pull, TO drive those whom He is
now calling to sOnsEip and oiEt-hetrship with
Christ in His kingdom.
During the mill, nnium the world will receive
all sorts of pulling, pushing. driving, stripes,
for their correction in RICH teOusness-to make
them ali eventually see. to ultimately force
them all to take their stand for right or for
{ wrong, pteligently. But now it is different
God is calling" drawing anC accepting
through faith III Christ members" of che
body of Christ. only such have willing
mnd-only sucu as car be moved TO energy AMI
devotion by the enlightenment of their minds
through the truth. Note Othmers are wanted
for this ''elert" class.
Those who rightly understand our text could
never have misunderstood the Saviours words
to the dy ing thief. Thou shalt be with Me
in Paradise" as to suppose that lie meant
that the penjtent thief would be a member OF
the ''tlect" church, His joint-hcir in the king
dom. Indeed not! That thief had not worked
cut any salvation! He win indeed be IN Para
disc eventually. Paradise will be restored and
the whole earth become as the Garden of Eden
under the milltnnial reign # Christ and His
IN amters' the church. But he was not DE
gotten If the Holy Spnit." He was not trans
! formed by the renewing of his mind" that ne
might prove the good acceptable and perfect
will of God. He never added to his faith for
titude; and to forttude knowledge; and TO
knowledge temperance; and TO temperance pa
tsence; and to patience godliness; ard to godi-
ness brothery kindness; and TO brotherly kind
ness love, the Word assures us all must do
who would make their calling and election
sure-Il Pet. 1910. IL.
\ We will not, however, discuss the thief FUR
/, Their, as we did so on a previous occasion, ana
that sermon is in print. / will be pleased to
mail IT on post card request free.
Tie spTitbegotten children OF God must
! ork cut their salvation as new creatures in
Christ by growth In grace. And growth In
J grace means growth in acknowledgement general
knowledge. but the special knowledge provided
! by the Lord in His Word. 1t is in full accord
with Nhat we everywhere observe of the wide
! spread ignorance of the Word OF God, even
amongst Christians, that the scriptures de-
clare MY people perish for lack Of know-
edge."-Hosea, as.
Development in heart. in character, is neces-
| sary tO fit us for the future service as mem
bors" Of the Christ, associated in His gIo-
! and prests that may serve the world OF
| mankind. To prepare us for that service is the
object of present call and the trials or
faith and patience, that by all ,Lese character
! likeness IF Christ might be developed in us.
| If do these things shall never fail ana
entrance will be granted us into the ever
lasting kiIgdom of our Lord snc Saviour. IN
we do these things heartily they will prove that
Divine pTedestination that only such as are
copies 81 Gods dear Son shall be His joint
Fcirs in lhe kingdom.-Rom.. SIT.
BEND a TEXT FOR 4 SERMON.
TO PASTOR Russell, Brooklyu Tabernacle,
Brooklyn n. Y:
Pastor Russell viii be glad to have a post
card from such Of our readers as are interested
! in his weekly discourses and have received
some blessing from them. Suggest topics FOR
, next years sermons and mention The Journal
boo kets containing the beautiful poem. ''Ihe
Sweet Brier Rose He proposes sending one
If thes4 as his response to the first 80 of our
readers heard from. To the sender OF the
first card received and 10 the senders OF the
three most interesting cards. he will instead
mail beautiful celluloid bOoknark, he lrt
! shared, bearing two texts Of Scripture and a
T.hoto gravure picture of the Saviour copied
from an EH.ereid intaglo found in the vatican
library aud supposed to have been executed
In the fourth century.