Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-03-15


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 Him against that day" (Timothy 1:12). From l John 5:13 we learn that God intends that all his children shall know whose children they are. ] John 3:1 teaches the same doctrine of assurance: Be hold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God; and such we are"
 It is not important that one should know when he became Christian, but it is very important that he should know that he is Christian. Those who have been converted in childhood often have no recollection of the time when they were convert ed, but it is not necessary that they should It is necessary. however, that they should know that they are converted. if they are to have any joy or efficiency in Christian work. There are three unmistakable proofs of the believers sonship.
 1. The witness of Gods word Re member that forgiveness of sin is some thing which takes place in the mind of God, and not iii the emotion al nature of the believer. Our first and best evidence of any such trans action then, must be the testimony of God Himself If He names certain conditions upon which He will for give sin, and I comply with these con- ditfons. I know that my sins are for given because l have Gods word for it. If l accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, I know that I have become a child of God because Gods word affirms it. It is not question of how I feel, but of what God says. The feeling may be wholly lacking, and yet the transaction may be none the less real.
 Dr. A. J. Gordon was once dealing with lady who claimed to have ac- cepted Christ, but who did not feel saved All efforts to help her were unsuccessful, until finally he asked if she owned the house in which she lived. She said she did. "Do you udVC d C0lldlA dC AOIlc 1CGllllS III this house which you do not have in any other?" "Yes" "Is that why you know the house Is yours?" Ger tainly not. suppose I might feel as much at home in house which was not mine, if lived in 1t long enough" "How then do you know that this house is yours?" Because have the deed which conveys the property to me, and have read it with my one eyes" "You are sure that this house is your because the record says so?" "Yes." And you would be just as sure even if you did not have that peculiar at home feeling of which you speak?" 'I think so. The feel ing is very pleasant, but it is no proof of ownership"
 'Now if you could see a deed by which God had given to you eternal life, would you believe the record?" "I certainly would" "Would that record be sufficient to convince you without additional evidence?" "I think 1t would" He then asked her to read l. John 5:11, 12, And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life. and this life Is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life" When she had read the verses he asked her if she knew that she was saved, and she said. T do" Be cause | have God's Word for it."
 9. The witness of the Spirit (Ro- mans S:16l, "The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" Let 1t be clearly understood that the wit ness of Gods Word is sufficient to prove that one is child of God, and if one does not believe this witness, he makes God liar q. John 5:10). However the believer Is entitled also to the witness of the Spirit. the con. scious realization that he is a child of God, and he should not rest satisfied until he has it. It is a part of his inheritance iI Jesus Christ. and If he has not received it. he should rever. ently but consistently inquire the req son why. He that hath My com mandments and keepeth them I will manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21.
 8. The fruit of the spirit Gal. 5:22). "The fruit of the Spirit is love. joy. peace, long-suffering, gentleness. goodness. faith. meekness. temper. ance." This, is the evidence which our neighbors will appreciate most, and which ought to be apparent to all. IIt does not appear all at once, how lever1 for fruit grows. and growth re squires time. while a gift is bestowed instantly.