Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1914-05-21

see clearly the CONFUSION involved In
the various theories of Christendom
that we are prepared to appreciate the
simplicity of the Scriptural teaching.
The Real Baptism Into Christ.
Having established the facts that
water baptism is figure, a symbolical
picture, of conservation, and that i'm
mersion is the Scriptural form of hap
tism, the Pastor then dwelt upon the
subject as presented in Romans G.
There the Apostle sets forth the deep
significance of burial with Jesus
From the time that the Christian gives
his heart to the Lord he is reckoned
dead. Thenceforth as New Creature
In Christ he should walk in newness
should be altogether different from
that of the world. The Christian is
under laws much higher than any hlh
man law His is the highest standard
there is-the Law of God.
The Pastor then explained in what
way the Christian who is buried in
baptism with Christ rises to walk in
newness of life. To the consecrated
Christian, "Old things have passed
away''-old ambitions, old motives, the
thought of making great name, Of
owning the earth or of accomplishing
something noteworthy of worldly
kind, etc. All these have given place
to higher ambitions, new motives-the
hope Of having favor with God, being
now His dear children, anxious to
know His will and to do it. To these
the first general Law is given-the
Golden Rule-which is the least of all
the Divine laws. do unto others as
ye would have them do unto you,' Is
the primary Law of God for all Chris
tians To be representative Of the
Lord every Christian must love his
neighbor as himself, must deal with
him as kindly and as generously as he
would have that neighbor deal with
him
But the Christian must do much more
than observe the Golden Rule, contin-
ued thePastor. Had Jesus done no more
than keep the Golden Rule, mankind
would not have been redeemed by the
precious blood of Gods dear Son. He
could have done just as much for 9TH
ers as He would ask any one to do for
Him, and not have died for the fallen
race Of Adam. His sacrifice included
much more than merely keeping the
Golden Rule. The Golden Rule, the
speaker declared, is the Jewish Law,
which Israel could not keep because of
their fallen condition.
1t was then explained how it is that
the Christian can keep the Law which
the Jew failed to observe. st. Paul de-
clares that while the Church of Christ
is no more perfect in the flesh than is
the Jew, yet God is dealing differently
with the Church. He is scrutinizing
their hearts and Judging them accord
ing to their intentions. If He sees that
in the heart the Christian is striving to
love his neighbor as himself and to do
unto others as he would be done by,
He is pleased; and He has made ar
engagements whereby those who are
thus striving may remain in His fami
ly despite their failures and shortcom
ings. These they may confess. and
they may ask forgiveness for Jesus
sake and be forgiven.
How the Christian Fulfils the Law.
The Pastor then showed that God
has made provision for tile Church
which He did not make for the Jews
Israel was under a typical Law, with
a typical mediator, who could not Offer
real atonement for their weaknesses
and have them judged according t.
the mind. But, through Jesus Christ
the Father has made this very ar
are judged according to their inten
TONS according to their will. There
fore, when they are living up to the
Golden Rule to the best Of their abili
ty, the righteousness of the Law is
reckoned as fulfilled in them. AS the
Apostle says, The righteousness OF
the Law is fulfilled in us, who walk
not after the flesh. but after the Spir
It," Even though we can never fully
catch up with the spirit of that Law
after which we are walking, yet the
blood Of Jesus Christ His Son cleans
eth us from all SIM
The Christian, however, has in his
VOW of conservation agreed to do more
than merely keep the Golden Rule
He has covenanted to give up all OF
his earthly interests, to do the will OF
God and to drink the cup which He
pours for those who follow in the foot
steps of Jesus. Whatever the conse
Grated Christian sees to be the will OF
God respecting him he is to do-he is
to drink that cup doing so with as
much pleasure as possible, delightinl
to do the Fathers will, even though
the cup be bitter.
The Pastor emphasized this point by
reference to the experiences Of the
Master. Shortly before His death
James and John had requested thai
they might be privileged to sit, the one
on His right hand and the other on His
left, in His Messianic Kingdom. II
was not selfishness that prompted the
request, but deep love and apprecia