Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-12-05

Il s.ssta...s..szi stages. hr t
must be formed in
their understanding and in their viii.
but especially In the affections which
mold their character and conduct,
Their understanding is reached in the
preaching of the Word of God, but their
Wills and affections are moved only as
the power Of the Holy Spirit accompa-
MES that Word. This explains why
there Is much preaching and teaching
of the Bible. and so little effected in
the conversion Of souls. How much
Christians need to pray for their pas
tors, for the Sunday school teachers
OF their children, and, above all, for
themselves, that the JUNCTION of the
Holy One may rest upon them as they
witness for Christ, that their testl-
mony may beget in others the new
life through faith in him.
The Second Adam.
II. But the text suggests that the
birth of Christ in the soul would be
impossible had not Christ himself
been born into the world. Our nat
ural man could have 70 existence
without a natural progenitor, and this
is equally clear of our spiritual or
regenerated man. Why is Christ
called in Scripture the second Adam,
If not that he was, so to speak, a new
starting point for man, "the pure
spring of a redeemed race? This
does not mean merely that he was
the purest, noblest and best man who
ever lived, but that in his humanity
he was much more than any other
man from Adam down. In a certain
sense Humanity was reborn in the
manger at Bethlehem. Redemption
begins by a new birth In the race
which includes all men, at least to
this degree, that In Christ dwells
potentially all that all men need.
There is now a chance, which but
for the incarnation of Christ never
could have been, that each of US may
become regenerated and begin our
life over again.
But in speaking of the humanity of
Christ, II must be kept In mind that
In his person there was united the
two natures, the human and the d.
vine. Christ was man, but also he
was God. We are unable to under
stand this mystery, but we accept it
by faith on abundant testimony, while
we adore and praise him that of his
fullness all we may receive. and grace
for grace.
Birth Of Christ In the Soul.
III. Just as the Holy Ghost was
Instrumental in the birth of Christ
Into the world. so is he necessary to
the birth of Christ In the soul. The
virgin could not have given birth to
the Son Of Man had not the Holy
Ghost come upon her and the power
Of the highest overshadowed her, and
1t is written that mo man can say
that Jesus is the Lord but by the
Holy Ghost" AS the great Puritan
divine, John Owen, used to say, I'VE
can have no real design OF conform
ity to Christ unless we have their
eyes who beheld his glory" But how
shall we obtain those eyes If they
are not given us from above? The
natural man beholds no excellency in
Christ, and appreciates no need Of
him as Savior, until these expert
ences are begotten in him by super
natural power and grace. We have
referred to this before but It needs |
to be emphasized again and again.
Nv. Finally, as the birth of Christ |
Into the world marks the most impor- !
tant era In the world, so the birth
OF Christ into the soul marks the |
most important era in the soul. II
Is this which turns the believer
from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan unto God" No con-
verted man would change his expert
ence Of salvation and the indweliing
Christ for all the world could give |
nim. II Is this fact that makes the |
Christmastide a time of sadness as |
well as one Of happiness and 10y.
we see merriment about US. yet we
shrink from it as from the thought of
that in1del who strove to balk the
King Of Terrors by ordering In a /
game OF cards with his dying breath. |
There Ii no Christmas JOY believer |
In Christ so earnestly covets as to |
learn Of some one who. as a result of |
his ministry, has come to interpret |
the Christmas In the earth from the |
point Of view Of q Christmas in the |
soul While It Is the work of the
Holy Spirit 10 perform this miracle of |
grace In him, yet 1t Is his duty to |
yield his win 10 him that be may |
perform Il.