Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-04-09
CHRISTIAN EHOEAvOR.

ainnina Aprll 13. l9l3.

ginning April 70, 1913,
.Topic--"I can do all things ~ Phil ".
a-l3 Honorary members meetingb Ed
tied by Rev. sherman II. Doyle. D. p.
The words OF the Apostle Paul, Il
can do all things" Mere no idle boast,
nor was there any presumption in his
use of them. They were not uttered at
the beginning of his Christian career,
but after years of service, during
which be had fully demonstrated his
right to use them. The element of pre-,
sumption is eliminated by the fact that
his ground of confidence was not in
himself. but in Christ
The Christian should be strong and
have confidence in his strength. The
weakest and humblest of Christians
may say. MY soul will make her boast
in the Lord" In ourselves we can do
nothing: in Christ we can do all things,
The boasting of the braggarf in his
own ability is despicable. but the conf
dence of the Christian of bis ability in
Christ is but a testimony to his faith.
The true Christian should have con-
fdence in his ability to do all things
pertaining to the Christian life. God
does not remove His children from the
trials and difficulties of life. but He Is
able and willing to sustain and sup
port them amidst all conditions OF life.
Christ Himself. praying for His dis
ciples, said. 81 pray not that Thou
shouldest take them out of the world
but that Thou shouldest keep them from
the evil" This God has promised to do
and does it through the strength that
Christ imparts TO US. Strength for all
things is therefore possible to all Chris
tians, and. this being the case. weak
ness In Christian is most blame
worthy. If weak. the fault lies in his
failure to seek strength at the divine
source of strength,
The source of the Christians ability
to do all things is in Christ. 81 can
do all things through Christ who
strengtheneth me-" Naturally the
Christian Is no stronger than any one
else. In Christ alone he becomes
strong and invincible. The strength
of Christ comes through faith In Him.
Ply faith we are united with Christ,
and It is no longer we who live. but
Christ iiveth in us. The teachings
and example of Christ fmpart strength
to His followers.
Neglect of the Scriptures leads to
weakness. Constant communion with
Christ in them imparts strength
Christ's strength is obtained through
prayer In the hour of trial we should
flee to Christ, realizing our own weak
ness. Living faith. study of the Scrip
lures and communion with Christ in
prayer will enable us to do all things
Many demands are made upon the
Christian. Paul writes of call things"
as though there were many things TO
be done in the power of Christ. and
such is the case. The Christian is not
immune from the burdens and tempta-
tons and duties of life. Indeed. these
are increased to the one who becomes
Christian. The adversary of the
soul tempts the Christian above all
others. He is sure of the rest. The
Christian assumes new attitude to-
having his own still to bear Moreover.
his duties become more numerous and
exacting But no matter. In Christ
he "can do all things" that are requir-
ed of him. as child of God and as
disciple Of his Divine Lord and Master.