Omaha daily bee., 1910-09-24
Ga LITTLE SERMON FOR THE WEEK ENDS

self behind a frowning nrovidencs. We are
apt 70 think that Cod has estranrrd HIM
self gone far from US. but not 80. Tor He
Is never. nearer 70 Us than 81 such tines
he walks with with SO gentle tread;
He dwells within Us in such a quiet way
but always guiding helping and sustaining
he makes common cause with Us IN AL
THINGS that concern our welfare. like a
teacher who is irving to enter INTO the life
uf a child. seeks some point OF contact and
common interest from which she can easily
lead the child up through various steps
into the light. does Cod seek a point Of
contact with us something in which He
can make common cause with as. then pa
tientiy helping Us on and up step by step
to perfect manhood. IN accomplishing this
gracious work for Us and in as he works
at CLOSE range" dNeus within as. incar-
mates Himself in our life.
Il is Gods only way OK lifting as. A rev
elation in the abstract a Christianity on
the long-distance' plan would not lift Us;
u would BE OF no avail. because OF our
weakened ana sinful natures and Of our
utter inability to lift ourselves toward God
or 10 a higher humanity or TO a pursr
life God must reach humanity with the
7 concrete. as He did In Jesus Christ and as
/ he is doing today through the holy spirit
. He must touch our life, come into Il 60
/ vitallse. energize and quicken IL. inearnats
I Himself within as. see through our eyes
3 hear with our ears. speak witE our lips
I work with our hands and be the ruling
permeating and dynamic force Of our life
Only by such a process could God lift Pau
I from a condition where ne was "chiei
among sinners 20 a condition where hs
I was chief among saints. And only by
| such a process can He lift rs out of con
diiOnE that may retard or forbid ~
tanning TO noblest manhood and largest
degree OF usefulness up to those cOndi
tons that afford US inspiration and oppor
tunity corresponding to Gods expectation
OF Va
Oh, that We might be willing for Cod
great purpose to be wrought out in oul
lives. In speaking Of the limitations whicf
Christ took upon Himself in His incarna
ton that He might reveal God TO man
Paul goes on to admonish: Let this minC
be in you which was also in Jesus Christ
/ he who was equal with Gsa. but willing
TO take upon Himself limitations. to reduce
70 lessen Himself to fit the capacity o.
human nature. be born OF woman i've
among sinful men and die upon the cross
Then in his ministry His willingness {,
exalt the Father; Il came not to do M
own will. but the will of Him who sen
me. Then in the working of His creates
miracle. when the crowd had assembled
the stone rolled away and He was abOu
TO call Lazarus back. He stops to pral
unto the Father, not because He needles
uppermost in the thought OF the people
! AS Christ was willing to fully meet al
conditions that he might come into human
nature and reveal the Father. likewise lie
US be willing to meet conditions that Go,
may incanate Himself in Paul give
rs a splendid example of this willingness
Chosen as he was by his co-reil gionists Q
lead in their schemes OF persecution o
Christianity yet when he is convinced o
the Fathers greater plans for him AM
that his life could be better invested. h
willingly yields and from thar time on
is his supreme delight TO do the win o
God Il am crucified with Christ" say
he: as Christ died upon the cross. so di
Paul die to self that God might incarnat
Himself within him and work out TO its tn
contamination His great purpose concern
ing him. Paul let God have His way
Nevertheless I've; yet nut l. but Christ
, liveth in me"
May we be willing as was Paul