The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-10-10

PHYSICAL grONNng i'iS'
true Of the spiritual Life In Goa
through Jesus Christ. II Is this TO
which he refers when he speaks OF
them to whom he writes as having cd
tained like precious faith With US In
the righteousness OF God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ"
The Christian Is one who has "ob-
tained" something. he has not earned
Il or worked II out for himself. but
obtained II. That which he has OBJ
tanned In faith. Faith Is the gift OF
God. The object OF this faith, that on
which II terminates, Is the righteous
ness OF God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ" Not the righteousness which
God IL, but the righteousness which
God gives, his imputed righteousness
by which alone a man begins TO live
before him.
Word Of God the Means.
(2D lie next speaks OF the means
OF growth, which is the word OF God
Verse 2.D. Grace and peace are null
tiplied unto US through the knowledge
OF God. he says. and indeed. he adds
"all things that pertain unto life and
goodness" come In the same way.
But this knowledge is not that which
was obtained in the handiwork OF ma
ture. but in the revealed word. De
sire the sincere milk OF the Word
that ye. may grow thereby"
In our hearts is evil. but in the Word
there are exceeding great and pre-
cious promises and II Is as We see
and apprehend these that we desire
and reach out for them. And In reach
ing out for them We drop these. II
Is what the child does when the apple
falls out OF his hand as he opens 1t TO
grasp the orange.
(3) The inspired penman Is led far
Their to speak OF the nature OF Chris
than growth In verses 81. which he
sets before us alsng seven differen,
lines OF development-virtue. knowl'
edge. temperance. patience. godliness
brotherly kindness and charity or love
"viftue" 10 not to be limited here 70
the thought OF sexual chasteness. but
means as nearly as possible In a spirit
uai sense what "strenuousness" has
cone to mean In tho physical and In
tellectual A Christian man, In 9th
or words. Is supposed to have the
courage OF his convictions In witness
ing 70 Jesus Christ
In the same way Temperance" doei
not mean simply abstinence from In
toxicating drink. but self-control II
the whole OF ones conduct. life KEEP
well IN hand for God. symmetrical
spiritually we'll poised, an alLarount
sainthood. No better illustration o
this could be found than In the unior
Of patience and godliness. which fol
lows.
The patience 10 not to be mer'
stoicai endurance. but united to AM
flowing from a spirit of enlightene'
trust In God. The true Christian In
deed 10 the ideal maa. Hsw sad tina
there are so few OF them when tn
provision for their creation Is SO sim
Pile and 80 freely offered by divin
grace.
ca The result OF growth In grac
10 thres-fold oversees SID. First. fruit
fulness; second. assurance. and third
reward. II there 10 one thing NOR
than another that Christians want I
kuOW " - INV Nhty moy 10 eesta "
OF salvation. Here is the A. d. G
IL. IF ye do these things ye shaI
never fall" This 10 the way TO max
our calling and election sure. ito d
these things" This does not mean
make our calling and election sure 8
far a. God 10 concerned. but 80 IA
a. We ourselvso are concerned
God knows whether We are Gale
and elected or not. and II can't b
any surer as to him. But II We don
know. the way to ind out 10 to d
these things. When hear a man "a
he believes In the Lord Jesus Chris
but has no assurance OF salvation.
generally feel that there Is somethin
In. his life not right. and which b
knows 10 be not right. and yet doe
not put away. Get right with God an
assurance followa