The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-04-18

selves therefore under the mighty hand
of God. that He may exalt you in due
t1me"-1 Peter SO.
The Pastor declared that the Bible
everywhere holds up the Lord Jesus
Christ as the glorious Pattern of what
is most pleasing to the Heavenly Fa-
ther, Pattern therefore to be copied
He reminded his hearers that there
are certain steps necessary before any
can come into the favor of God. and
properly be called His children. or said
to be under His supervision and care.
or be permitted to address Him in
prayer. or to consider themselves heirs
of His favors and blessings This is
made very clear by the Apostles and
also by Jesus Himself. said the Pastor.
The Apostles declare the necessity of
AN Advocate with the Father before
any can approach Him. come into His
presence or receive any favor from
Him. Jesus expressed this same
thought, saying. mo man cometh unto
the Father. but by Me-"
AS a matter of fact therefore. a
comparatively small proportion of hu.
manity have any of Gods favors at
the present time. said the Pastor. But
we rejoice in the breadth of the Mes
sage, which assures us that in Gods
due time" all shall be brought to q
knowledge of Messiah. and privileged
through Him to enjoy the gift of God
Everlasting life. But what is coming
and what is here now are two differ
ent matters. No one has authority to
make the Narrow Way Broad Way,
nor to say that many will find it wheE
the Scriptures declare. Few there be
that find it." Our consolation is that
this Narrow Way leads to special
glory, honor. Immortality and the Di-
vine Nature, and will develop spe-
cial, elect class. Then subsequently.
this select class will be used of the
Lord in blessing the non-elect many
with great. but inferior blessing.
The Pastor demonstrated that his
text relates not to the world in gen
eral, bnt merely to the cOnsecrated
few who during this Age hear the in
vitation, accept it, and become foot
step followers of Jesus. These have
their sins forgiven as result of faith
In the precious blood of Christ and of
conservation to do the will of God
These then have the Redeemer as their
Advocate with the Father. and are ac
cepted in the Beloved as His brethren.
These are the prospective members
of the Bride of Christ. who by the
Lords grace may now suffer with
their Redeemer in cross-bearing. and
by and by share with Him His glori-
GUS Kingdom. These are begotten Of
the Father through the Holy Spirit.
and thus become New Creatures in
Christ. No longer are they to be
classed as members of the human
family. but Cas spiritual sons of God,
of new order. higher than the angels.
but not yet perfected Their perfect
Ing cannot take place until their pro-
stationary trial shall have ended, and
1t will not end until death. In the
glorious First Resurrection. therefore.
these will be perfect. as sons of God on
the Divine plane, associates and joint
heirs with their Lord and Redeemer.
To These Our Text Applies.
These are exhorted to come with
boldness to the Throne of Heavenly
Grace, to obtain mercy, and find grace
to help in every time of need. These.
and only these. may know that their
prayers are always heard. AS Jesus
said, Their messengers do always have
access to My Fathers presence" Mat
thew 1S:10) The exhortations Of the
Apostle are to these alone-not to the
world
In our context the Apostle holds up
the Lord Jesus as the great Pattern Of
humility. the example for all Of His
followers. admonishing that they
should walk in His steps, il they would
have the Divine favor that He enjoys
and attain with Him to joint-heirship
in His glorious Kingdom. He was
rich, yet In obedience To the Fathers
will He laid aside the riches of His
Heavenly estate, and became poor-not
merely appeared poor He laid aside,
or Invested Himself OF His spirit con.