Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-11-09


MUM Tho greatness Of the dignity to which
the faithful Will be exalted makes IL reasonaole
ingly difficult IN this way. Hence we read tnal
the gate is difficult and the way narrow one,
that few may find 1t. These few are the
elect" whose character-superiority Will be rui
" evidenced TO Goo to angels and to men to be
such as fully iustlfies the Lord in granting 10
them the high reward promised. Were their non
perence,. bow could Gods ways be Just anu
equal in granting them the heavenly nature ana
Divine glory, while awarding the world OF man
kind restitution blessing and worldwide Eden
home corresponding TO what was lost by Auam
and redeemed for the willing and ooedient ny
the sacrifice OF the Nan Christ JesusI
WHO UNDERSTANDS HIS ERRoRS?-
II now we have clearly before our minds that
IL is the church class who are addressed In our
text let us examine the various steps II sug-
gests. During the millennium the errors and
secret faults and presumptuous sins of the world
will all be made manifest and all be openly
rebuked and punished. But not so now. Those
who are now called to be OF the elect church
are expected 10 be jealous for God, so de-
sirous to know and to do His win, opposed
10 sin that they will voluntarily search for
their own errors, their secret faults, and
strive against presumptuOus sins. 1t is the
zeal OF this class in the matter Of uprooting
evil from their own hearts and subduing their
own flesh which entities them to be called
''oyercomers" and to be rewarded as such. or
this entire class, Jesus the Head and the church
His Body, It must be true foretold by the
prophet, 'Thou hast loved Righteousness, and
hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God.
above thy fellows."-Heb., lie.
When we remember that Cod for Christ's
sake. has forgiven the sins of the church, the
question may arise, What then are these faults
or errors3 II all of our sins forgiven free
ly for Christ's sake, what sins then remain to
be forgiven2 The answer is that through faith
in Christs blood we were fully forgiven. 'the
Gins that p6st. through the forbearance OF
God rom, 325.) We will never more be
held responsible for sins great small which
were before came to the Lord and
accepted His grace, His forgiveness, and be-
came His followers through our conservation of
our little ell to Him What remains OF sin
inherited weaknesses. and these blemishes may
be with to dying day in considerable
measure. 1t is against these that we must
fight-fight the good fight and endure hard
valiant soldiers Of righteousness, soldiers
OF the cross.
Put some one may inquire, Is not the merit
OF Christ sufficient, not only for the sins that
are past but for all our unwilling bemishes
OF the past and of the future In other words,
Does not our Lords satisfaction OF Justice in
which are the result Of Adams sin and our
Inheritance Of the fallen condition. as well as
atone for our sins Of the past prior to our &C
ceptance OF the Divine mercyi We answer,
Yes. this is quite true; nevertheless the Lord
requires OF that, after coming into the fam
| ily OF God. we shall take no'N Of our imper-
fec.ions and apply TO Him for specific forgive
ness OF all transgressions Doubtless this is In
/ tended TO assist US in keeping huInble-to assist
US in keeping in remembrance the horrible pit
cious merit Of the Redeemer, by which we were
| justified. All Of these experiences will doubt
less be helpful to us by drawing US the more
frequently to the 'throne OF grace, that we may
obtain mercy. and find grace (merit) to help in
, time OF need."-Heb., 4:16, .-s.a.
| THE BLOOD OF CHRIST CLEANsETH.
The expression, The blood OF Jesus Christ
cleanseth US from all sin" refers not merely
] to the sins that past and the cleansing
which at the moment we first ac-
copied the Lords favor, but rather, especially,
raFa he c1a Will fQ INIT inns Y
necessary to the maintenance OF our relationship
with the Lord. The forgiveness, the cleansing,
is freely. promptly given; but conditionany. 1t
must be applied for. This is the Lords method
Of instrucing in the way Of righteousness
| and OF assisting us to overcome the oppositions
1 and temptations of the world and to become
: nesses better than do we; and He wishes us to
learn Of them, not with a view to discouraging
US, but that we may fight good fight against
! them, conquer them and, in so doing. develop
/ the characteristics which He approves and has
promised TO reward with joint-heirship with
| the Redeemer in HIS kingdom.
! Hence instead Of openly rebukng His peo-
/ pie. the Lord leaves ours the work OF search
\ ing for secret faults and putting them away.
! In proportion as we love Him, viii be de-
sirous of doing those things which please Him,
| thus living in His smile. under His approval.
| II is quite sufficient that the light of the
4 Lords countenance His smile, should be with
| drawn from those who do not walk the mar
row way with zeal-who do not seek for their
] own faults and endeayor 10 correct them and TO
| Ahus MAKE clhFacIefs AS lnOSe now DelDg called
| grow In love for the Lord, every hindrance to
His favor will be quickly noted 1t is this class
| that In our text IS represented as seeking divine
assistance in the searching out Of their secret
| feults. - p II '4.iN
Some Of these faults may be known to our
| selves and TO the Lord. but unknown to fell
| lowmen. The heart that is truly converted to
| the Lord and to harmony with all the .prin-
ciples OF righteousness which He represents
must more and more desire full perfection-full
victory over The weaknesses OF the flesh, and
must strive for this condition. Other secret
faults may be secret from us but well-known to
! the Lord and possibly quite plainly manifest to
/ cur brethren and neighbors. How earnestly all
who are truly the Lords people should seek to
/ see themselves others see them. and TO cor
lect those faults which hitherto have been secret
| TO themselves
| Assuredly the Lords assistance is necessary
| language OF our text we should remember that
| His methods OF answering our petitions TO
| show us the facts Of and then 10 en-
courage us by His promises to fight good
| Tight ag inst the weaknesses thus brought 10
! our attention. Tho Bible is the Lords lamp.
| The spirit OF fits wonderful teachings, like
| two-edged sword. ia sharp and penetrating. IL
J can discern or discriminate between the very
! thoughts and intents Of the heart, which de.
| ceive many into thinking a wrong course
I iustifiable. The Christian who makes continual
and good use Of this Sword" will rtnd
! that with its assistance he is able to anaIyze
his own motives lying behind his words and his
| them, and sometimes masquerading them as
graces and virtues.
| The difficulty with the majority OF Christian
people seems TO Be that they have never under