The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-11-04

Of the Bible MINI
self, he humbly
takes the place of a disciple. II l |
mistake not, this was his attitude: |
Teacher, have many rules and pre-
cepts by which 1 govern my life, but |
when 1 hear you speak. / feel as If l
knew nothing. o, teacher, tell me
your rule for holy living! Tell me all
you know!
And the master replied, "Nicodemus,
you are trying to save your soul by
good works; by fasts, and gifts, and
sacrifices. This is not the way. What
you need Is not new rules, but new
heart; not learning. but life; and Life
always begins with birth. Except
man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of Cod"
What the New Birth Is Not.
1t is not an improvement OF the old
nature. The bible represents human
nature as hopelessly bad, incurably
sinful.
1t is blind: "And when we shall see
him, there is no beauty that 1--WE should
desire him." lis. 5S:2)
It is wicked: "The heart Ia deceitfui
above all things and desperately wick
ed" Ger. 17:s9
It is at enmity with God: "The car
nal mind is enmity against God.
(Rom. S:7)
1t is dead: "And you hath he quick
ened who were dead in .trespasses and
sins" (Eph. 2:1.)
This is human nature as COO De
scribes it. 1t is not capable OF I'M
proyement, and God does not attempt
It. mot subject to the law OF God
neither indeed can be-" eRom. S:f-J
When a bell has been cracked 1t gives
out a hoarse cultural sound wnlcn II
very annoying. You may bind 1t witt
hoops and bands, but nothing Will re
store the clear sweet tone. The onl,
remedy is to send it back to the rae
tory, melt it over, and recast tn
bell.
What ls the New Birth
It is the imparting of a new natur
which is Jesus Christ. "a new hear
will / give you, new spirit Will
put within you.
have friend who has six acre
of greenhouses A large part or ni
business is the culture OF roses n
la imports the wild stock from 1relan
because 1t is peculiarly hardy.
I'D does not put the wild rose-bushes int
the greenhouse Just as they are an
cultivate them If he did, he woul
obtain only wild Irish roses which al
not worth ten cents thousand. III
first thing he does with the wild stoc
is to graft it with buds from II
choice roses which he wishes to pr
duce. Then he places 1t In the gree
he house. and uses all the appliance
va known to modern flower culture, al
the result is-those elegant Gener
Jacoue and American Beauty ros
he which sell for several dollars hu
dred.
Man is like the wild rose. He ca
not produce the fruit of the spirit
IRE cause there is no holy spirit In hi
ng until Christ has been accepted Melt
er can he forgive his sin. nor resi-
.gy its power. Gods way is to fmpa
m. INTO him a new divine nature viii
I'm ia able to overcome sin, and prodf'
the fruit of righteousness.
Nv believing Gods word. Man "
lost by doubling Gods word, he
our saved by believing it. Being be
AGAIN. not of corruptible seed. but
sts incorruptible, by the word OF g
which liveth and abideth forever.
Pet. 1929 whereby are given VI
lck us exceeding great and precious Pre-
ises. that by these We might be
takers of the divine nature. q
1:4)
An Immediate deliverance f.
tbe guilt of sin. There is now
fol condemnation to them thai are
christ Jesus" (Rom. ST.
sr. TT A consciousness Of divine s
shin. Because ye are sons. God q
sent forth the spirit CT his son !
sup. vour hearts, crying, Abba, fath'
IGal 49,
rect III A love for other Christie
eve know that we have passed II
death unto fife because we love
brethren" q John S:140
nils when an egg is laid, in the mi
of the white fluid floats little g
~ life. which though Invisible,
Dusi. contains the chick which is to be.
.eep nv day during the process Of Incl
tain ton the germ OF life grows ana
white fluid disappears, until at len
The chick steps forth from the 81
and the white fiuid is all gone.
be- Go when one is born of God
,aro. f-,.,sst.Isfe enters and coexists ]
he seltlife.
RAGS