The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-12

our hobgoblins of false doctrine, handed
down from the Dark Ages, and wrongly
supposed to be the Bible teachings!
Covetousness in the Consecrated
When we remember that Jordan repre-
sents conservation, that those who crossed
Jordan typified those Christians who have
entered into a covenant with God and
have been begotten of the spirit, and that
the conquest of Canaan represented the
spiritual battles of the consecrated in sub
jugating and possessing the citadel of the
heart, the Achans sin has a new mean
ing.
The term Christian today has a very
wide application, and in general signifies
a civilized person. But the term Christian
really belongs only to a comparatively
small class-those who have consecrated
their lives to be Jesus footstep followers.
This Is the class typified by Israel. These
have entered the antitypical Canaan, and
are fighting the good fight of faith. These
would recognize all the spoils of their
warfare consecrated to God.
1t is for these to inquire. Am / with
holding any part of what / consecrated to
Gcd? If they are so doing, they are in
danger. not only exercising an injuri-
GUS influence upon others of the church.
but also of the fate typically illustrated
in Achan's case-the second death.
"Covetousness, Which Is IdOlatry"
The apostle declares that covetousness
Is idolatry. 1t puts first the thing COW
eted; and when this is contrary to the
divine will, this attitude signifies that the
coveted thing is more desired than thf
divine favor. From this viewpoint the
world is full of idolatry The idols most
worshiped are wealth and pleasure. Tinie
strength, honor, manhood and woman
hood are poured out lavishly for these
idols
On the contrary, the true God, from
whom comes every good and perfect gift
receives but slight attention from the
masses of His creatures. His laws, His
will, His pleasure and His favor arc
scarcely thought Of
Wealth Is being pursued and bowed
down to on every hand Yet it's posses
sion has brought care, perplexity and still
greater hunger, which its possessors know
not how to satisfy. So it is with the pur-
suit of pleasure. AS result, worshipers
\ of wealth and pleasure are unhappy. Tht
world Is discontented and apparently
| growing more So
| Man is so constituted that his finest
noblest sentiments, which bring the mos
| peace and happiness, are the exercise OF
! his mind and talents God-ward. Accord
| ing to st. Paul, all men by nature Should
| feel after God, desiring to find Him. Bu
alas, many of Gods noblest people, who
| have found rest and peace through q
knowledge of love divine, are not only
not helping the world to find the true
God. but actually misdrecting them
The monstrous Misrepresentation re-
ceived from the Dark Ages we have heart
| lily repudiated. Yet we are holding these
| misrepresentation of the divine charac-
| ter and plan up before the world, and sc
| turning them away from God and the Bi
| BILE. to seek rest of soul in the worship OF
| wealth and pleasure. How long will 1t be
| before we openly acknowledge that ws
| have repudiated the monstrous teachings
OF the creeds and have accepted the Bible
| teachings that through Gods gracious
plan all who will may enter into rest!