The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-06-13

II II $# went hand in
fzzEM ~ hand with. spir-
itual power, and
we must face two or three plain ques-
tions as TO matters OF fact.
Is Christ the same as he was then?
Is he able TO do now what he did
then? Are we i'm the same condition
OF difficulties, habits, sins? How
far may | expect help from Jesus?
If Gods word shows me what Jesus Is
able to do, will trust him for IT, az
men and women did then? The study
OF the story and Of the entire word
OF God will give me an affirmative
answer TO all these questions except
the last one--that ! must answer for
myself; for IL is still true that al
though Jesus is able TO save to the
uttermost. he can save only those
who come to- God by him and who will
accept the healing power of the Great
Physician.
The gospels tell us OF many varie-
ties OF sickness dealt with by Jesus;
these are all types OF sin and or
Christ's power TO heal Take four
typical illustrations: Leprosy, or the
guilt and defilement OF sin; palsy. or
the impotence OF sin; fever. or the
passion of sin; demoniac possession,
or the slavery OF sin.
Or. take three typical cases from
the gospel according to st. Luke
G) 5:17. palsied limbs; (2) 6:6-l0.
the withered hands; 90 13:1O-13, the
bowed-down woman. In all these
cases Jesus not only healed the body
but he stands forth as able to heal
the sin OF which the bodily ailment
Ia a type No case is too hard for
Jesus. His diagnosis Is thorough and
correct, his treatment is appropriate
and adequate: his power is unto the
uttermost" Thers will be no need
TO come again. He cures In different
ways, but always with perfect under
standing and with satisfactory re.
suits.
The man at the Beautiful Gate OF
the temple expected only aims from
Peter and John. but he got what was
of SURPRISING quality and value-heal
ing, i'm the name and through the
power OF Jesus OF Nazareth. And
they were filled with wonder and
amazement at that which had hap
pened unto him" That hour of
prayer became an opportunity for the
manifestation OF the power OF Jesus
Christ. an unexpected blessing TO the
lame man, and the occasion OF a great
sermon by Peter. How graciousIy
and generously God deals with us!
Exceedingly abundantly above all
| that we ask or think" Not aims, but
healing: not silver but salvation; not
gold, but grace and gladness; not out.
side. begging, but beyond the Beau
! tiful Gate, inside the temple. walk.
ing. and leaping. and praising God"
Is Christ the same today? Can he
do that work Of forgiveness and sane
tihcation now? And is he willing to
do It? Thousands can testify and say
yes" On which side OF the gate
are you? Are you outside. distressed,
diseased. despairing. dying? Do you
cry out In vain for help? There is no
reason why you may not be on the
other side. rejoicing in the sense os
sins forgiven. righteousness imputed.
life impaired. Joy planted. Only one
reason-"Wilt thou be made whole p
Perfect soundness," and I'm mo-
ment. And Immediately" He is the
healer divine AS such he is able not
only to make better" but TO make
we'll. MY case is too hard" do not
know how far your disease has gone.
how dark the night may seem, how
deep the sin dwells. but do know the
power OF this healer In each and ev.
cry case intrusted 10 him-nothing Is
too hard for God. His ability is ON
nipotent and his love matches his
power He may deal painfully. but II
will also be effectively.
In the days OF his flesh he healed
by word. or n touch: now by the
Holy Spirit. still the Great Physician
stands in the presence OF sin-bur
dened ones saying. Arise" stretch
forth thine hand" thou art loosed
from thine inhrmity," II Viii, be thou
clean" Put him 10 the test. and find
Jesus Christ. the same. yesterday
today. yes. and forever" YEA. The
faith which is through him hath giver
him this perfect soundness In the
presence OF YOU all"