The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-02-16

N'i' R"i l'''' ="
1--we as Christ would have them live.
but who come to the close Of tho day
ronrcssiug how far short they hay"
come Of being what Christ wanted
them to be.
And the criticism OF the world, Rnd
the curse Of the church Is, that In
those Of us who have named the name
Of Christ practice IN 80 far short
OF confession. and that many Of uS
who make plous professions by the
very negligence Of our living cruelty
the Son OF God atresh and put him To
an open shame. MIR. Drummond spoke
]truthrulIy when he said that what the
church needs IL not more Of US, but
a better brand Of uB,
There Ia a better way 10 live. There
ia Il Christian lilo possible to each
one OF US which Is higher and hoIior
and more victorious than any expert
cnce We have had hitherto. The per
lection Of Christian character iB the
perfection Of faith In JCSuD Christ
the faith that takes him to be all and
IN all. Just as by a simple act or
faith we received tbs gift OF saliva
ton from the CruClied Christ We are
to receive from the risen Christ the
grace which we need to live a con-
sistent Christian life.
May We not explain our failure to
become what We hoped to be, and
what Christ wants us to be, because
we do not understand the difference
between the appreciation OF Christ
and tho appropriation OF Christi The
Christian church does not lack IN aD-
probation sermons, prayers, hymns
and testimonies swelling tho praise OF
Jesus; but lack Of appropriation Is
shown in indifference to the claims OF
Christ and the demands OF q holy
life, in spiritual unrest when Christ
has RaId, Peace leave with YOU
and in frequent failure at the same
point in my IIro. These are evidences
Of our neglect to take Christ a8 tho
complement OK our daily need, Of OuI
neglect to cI0the ourselves with
Christ. Of our lack OF appropriation.
Az one read tho New Testament
three things are made clear:
/. Gods purpose, which Is TO make
US like Jesus Christ, although he uses
various methods by which this end In
attained. Sometimes the means used
do not seem pleasant TO uB, but when
we realize his high purpose, we shall
be satisfied.
II. Christ'8 promise. AS We begin
to understand Gods purpose we ask
who Is sufficient for these things; but
in the presence Of every high call or
God, OF every holy purpose, OF every
unattnined ideal, Christ stands aud
says. MY grace is sufficient for you"
And we may count him faithful who
promised.
Ill. An adequate power. When wo
accept Christ by faith the holy spirit
ONE into us to perfect the purpose
Of God and to make the promise OF
Christ actual In our Christian expert
ence. II is tho realization OF the pur-
poge, the faith in ChriBt's promise.
and surrender to the spirit that CON
stitute the elements Of that faith
which Is the perfection OF Christian
character. SO our lack OF deeper
Christian experience. Of power In
prayer, and OF usefulness in service.
does not consist In the smalineSs or
Gods purpose nor tho weakness OF
Chrlst's promise, nor the lack OF an
adequate power-our failure Is be-
cause we do not appropriate all Of
God there Ia for Us In Christ Jesus.
We are reminded of Martin Luther,
who said that the entire secret OF the
Christian life lies In the use OF the
pogRessive pronouns; that 1t Is a great
thing TO know that Jesus is a Savior,
but a far greater thing 10 know that
he is my Savior. In fact, the entire
philosophy OF the New Testament
with relation to the Christian Is that
he shall put off the old man and
shall put on the new.
What q blessing would come to the
Christian church and to the world
II Christians not only fully appreciat-
ed Christ, but completely appropriated
him. 1t would effect a TRANSITIONAL.
tion IN character and conduct, and
career, and 10 many OF US 1t would
make the impossible possible. Christ
stands Just opposite our lives and
says, What wilt thou that should
do unto thee?" and when he knows
the desires which possess us and
which struggle for expression he fur
Their says, "BeIleyest thou that / am
able TO do this?" and our life growth
and f%ruitfulness are dependent upon
our faith in him.
Therefore, just as by faith | ask
Christ TO be my savior let me now
take him for my need OF humility,
purity. strength, wisdom. ganctitca-
ton, righteousness. redemption--"AD
| need in thee TO find"
Grace there Is. my every debt to pay;
Blood 10 wash my every sin away;
Power to keep me day by day:
For me. for me-"
Tako Christ, appropriate him. en-
ter upon the full possession and APP
preparation OF your great Inheritance
In Christ Jesus. II Is the secres OF Q
happy. victorious, Christ'like life.