The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-15
SPIRIT BEGOTTEN NEW
CREATURES.

A new creature, from the Spiritual
standpoint, is one to whom old things
both good and bad have passed away,
and all things have become new. Such
an one may have been a noble, natural
man, as above described. or less noble,
or a most degraded natural man. The
change may take place regardless of the
moral station of the individual. Reason
ings and PHILOSOPHERS may and do
effect the natural man, sometimes
favOrably and sometimes unfavOrably,
but these do not produce the change
from natural to spiritual, from earthly
Go heavenly nature This change comes
from only one source, and only to
persons in one condition of mind, OF
heart. It comes from on high. 1t Is
superhuman. and, in its eff ect, it is
revolutionary. It comes to those who,
because of natural humility of mind
realize themselves to be sinners, and
with natural conscientiousness and ven
Grafton. desire to approach their Creator
and to obtain his favor and forgiveness
of sins, and who thus are led to accept
Christ as their personal Saviour ano
Deliverer from sin. Or it may come te
others naturally less tender of heart,
through sorrows and sufferings anc
heart-breaking experiences, leading
them to look for the Friend above al
others and to accept his proffered for
giveness and guidance These expert
ences, accompanied by turning from
sin, with desire to live soberly ano
righteously, bring such characters tc
the place which the Scriptures designate
Justification by Faith. Still, however
they are not New Creatures. The wore
justification implies making right ano
does not imply making over, or &
change of nature, 1t is the human
right in Gods sight, because of faith ii
the precious blood of Jesus the Re
deemer. Another. step must be taker
before the change of nature can taxi
place-the step OF conservation, of de
voting life. time, aims, ambitions, all
to the Lord and to his service.
1t is to such only that the blessing O
the holy Spirit from above is granted
Its effect in their hearts is the opening
of the eyes of their understanding tt
new hopes and prospects and interests
not earthly, but heavenly These be
come deeply interested in "the thing:
which God hath in reservation for then
that love him the things which thu
natural eye hath not seen and the nat
ural ear hath not heard. neither haiti
entered into the natural heart Cor
20
Many natural ears have heard some
thing about spiritual things, but they
were never really understood or APP
preciated. They have seen that Their
is this spiritual something, but the de
tails of it they cannot discern. any NOR
than our natural sight can discern tn
conditions prevailing on the moon
though we see it often. These New
Creatures begin a newness of life
living in the future and for the future
They count all earthly things but a
loss and dross, that they may win ant
share with Christ in the spiritual realm
Necessity. indeed. still compels them t.
provide things earthly. decently ant
honestly for their families and them
selves. but. aside from these prophecies
they are dead to the worlds ambitions
hopes and aims; because they hav
seen with their new eyes and thei
spiritual understanding through tn
telescope Of Gods Word, the Bible
wonderful things, grand beyond de
scription or. comprehension. They ar
rich with the heavenly riches and dali,
becoming wiser with heavenly wisdom
and more thoroughly copies of thei
Redeemer. if they follow on to know
the Lord.