The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-21

q 3
disciples. mot to the massess None
could deny Him who had never ac-
knoWledged Him. He Il to be con-
tesseo, not merely by baptism, nor by
any outward form. but In the life. the
conduct, the words OF His followers.
whoever makes q profession Of be-
Ing e. disciple. and then ignores the
Masters teachingss misrepresents
Will not share in the glorious pre-
.entation OF the Bride. in the end of
this Ago.
The masses. Of course, were In
doubt Some even derided Jesus. say
ing that He had 4 devil and was mad
understanding Of Him and such slam
oers were quite forgivable II done ig-
horanfiy. But when some went be-
yopo this. and declared that His good
works were accomplished through the
power OF Satan. Belzebub. they
which would not be passed over. such
SIN must be wilful: for their .accusa-
tions had NO basis whatever. The
naasters teachings were purity itself
HIS conduct. His sayings and Hts
miracles were all good works. Only a
WlIui perversity could attribute
these to Satan.
the fact that they would never be
forgiven does not signify, however,
5nat the viliders were hopelessly lost
Iney would suffer punishment proper
tionate to their Wilfulnesa IF the
punishments bring reformation. well
ana good; but II not. they will eventu-
Death.
Few subjects are less understood
Holy Spirit. The word spirit in such a
case as this stands for power. or in
1iuence. For instance. the spirit of
satan ID the power, or influence ad-
verse TO God and to Righteousness. The
spirit OF error is the power, or influ-
ence. Of falsehood. Contrariwise, the
Spirit OF Truth. the Spirit Of God, the
aoiy spirit. represents Divine influ-
ence and power. The responsibility
OF each individual is pFoportionate to
his enltghtenment The mentally and
morally blind have comparatively lit
tie responsibility, because they do not
appreciate clearly the distinction be-
tween the spirit Of Truth and the
spirit Of error, the Spirit Of God and
the spirit of Satan.
Man was not created in this condi-
tton of inability to discern right and
wrong. good and evil. Sin has wrought
also to his mind, his conscience. The
ability to discern between right and
| wrong varies therefore. Additionally,
some have opportunities for instruc-
ton more than others. and thus their
responsibility is increased. The world
in general knows not God. and hence
could not sin against the Holy Spirit
in that full degree punishable with
| the Second Death.
Some knowledge IL necessary to
bring US to an appreciation Of Christ
as the Sent Of God. Then II we be-
| come His consecrated followers, we
receive the begetting Of the Holy
Spirit This brings us to q vantage
| open more widely in proportion as we
are filled with the Holy Spirit. Our
| responsibility increases with our Joy
| In the Lord and our preparation for
the Heavenly glories to which we have
| been called. Every Christian should
press on toward perfection Of holiness
the filling with the Spirit.
'~The Holy Spirit Shall Teach"
| The Lords faithful followers were
| to expect that amongst their tribula-
tions would be false accusations which
would bring them before magistrates.
| For the most part the disciples were
unlearned. and would feel great tFepi-
dation in the presence Of educated Of
ftctals They were to know, however,
that the Lords blessing would be upon
them; and that they would have wis
dom superior to that which was nat
Ipremedttate what their answers would
be, but commit all to the Lord, ex-
pecting Divine assistance.
Nothing in this implies that the
ministers Of Christ either in the pull
pit or the class meeting should at
tempt to represent the Lord without
| studying their subject. On the con-
trary. each should accept to himself
st. Paurs words to Timothy: Study
to show thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be
ashamed. rightly dividing the Word Of
Truth" e Timothy 2:15.) There is
| q difference between standing before
Gods people as q mouthpiece of His
| Word and being called before magis-
| trates.