The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-11

lloAsTOR RIJSSflD he is by nature a
- $500 sinner. that by Di-
vine grace Jesus
Christ the Righteous died for his
sins. and that through faith in the atom
ing blood and obedience to the Redeem
ers teachings he has become "a New
Creature in Christ" For such, "Old
things have passed away, and all things
have become new" Such New Crea-
all other members OF the race. Instead
Of earthly aims, ambitions and hopes
theirs are Heavenly.
II Is not sufficient that these should
make the proper start Of faith In
Christ and full conservation 10 do Gods
will and not their own. II is incumbent
upon them, after having made such a
start and after having been begotten OF
the Holy Spirit. that they shall grow
in grace. knowledge and love. q Peter
S:ls3 This is styled putting on Christ"
adding the graces Of character
which God will accept and re-
ward with association with the
Lord Jesus in His Kingdom. For
these God has made provision OF spirit
ual food in the Bible-"meat in due
season" for the Household OF Faith.
(Matthew 24:45) These are represent
ed as at first babes in Christ" requir-
ing the milk of the Word, but II faithful,
gradually attaining full stature-"strong
in the Lord and the power Of His might"
Such pirit-begotten Christians must
fight a good fight''-not with others,
but with themselves, overcoming the
weaknesses and besetments Of their own
fallen flesh, tho alurements OF their
environment and the wiles OF the 'Ad-
versary. Such as are faithful in these
respects are Scripturally styled ''over-
corners" the very Elect" The prom
Ise to them is that they shall have part
in the Chief or best, Resurrection, and
thereafter be no longer humans. but
spirit beings OF the highest order-"par-
takers of the Divine nature" e Peter
l:4) These in death are "sown in weak
ness" in dishonor," human beings. but
are raised from the dead" 'in glory"
in power" spirit beings.--l Corinthians
i5:43.
Jesus promise to these overcomers
reads, ITO him that overcometh will |
grant 10 sit with Me in My Throne even
as l overcame and am set down
with My Father in His Tmone"-"I
will give him power over the nations"
etc, Again. He says. Blessed and holy
are all those who have part in the Chief
Resurrection: on such the Second Death
hath no power. but they shall be priests
unto God and unto Christ. and shall
reign with Him a thousand years.
Revelation 3:2l; 1925: 20:8.
All His teachings are applicable to
this special class--those who have be-
come His followers. He did not assume
to be a Teacher of the world. but merely
Of those who leave the world sacrificing
all TO become His disciples. To these
He said. I'VE are not OF the world even
AZ am not Of the world"; again, III
the world hate you, We know that II
hated Me before II hated you" He did
not include the nominal church as His
disciples but rather counted them In
with the world. In evidence OF this, we
note the fact that the world which per-
| secuted Him was the Jewish nation,
professedy Gods consecrated people:
and that those who have prosecuted His
followers have likewise been nominally
Gods people, but really OF the world.
Duties. Rights and PRIVILEGES Of
| NuEtbNtNhns
These are the Christians addressed by
the Master, saying, II say Unto you,
That ye resist not evil: but whosoever
| to him the other also. And IL any man
will sue thee at the law, and take away
thy coat let him have thy cloak also
And whosoever shall compel thee 10 20
q mile go with him twain."-Afatthew
b:3s-43.
The thought Of non resistance IL here
yet not 10 tho extreme supposed by
some The turning of the other cheek
as illustrated by Jesus own conduct
was a figurative expr. ssion. signifytns
willingness to have both cheeks smitten
rather than inJure another. Christians
are to be law-abiddng, whether they
consider the laws just or unjust. II
therefore. the law deprive them OF a
coat. they are 20 Yield II up. II the law
cloak, they are still to be non-reslstant
but submit with good grace. knowing
that hereunto they were called.
Be II noted that neither coat no
cloak was to be given UP merely upor
demand, but only after the law. Justly
or unjustiy, had so deereed. similarl,
| with respect to the compulsory walking
OF Il mile: the Christian Is not to submit
himself to every whim OF everybody
but seeking to do Gods will, he In to ~
about his own business, unless the op
position to him amount to a compelling
And this. under ordinary circumstances
would mean a legal compelling; for tn,
protection NJ the laws of the land II
which he lives may be sought TO pro
ts'ct him In his rights and liberties, al
ST. Paul appealed TO governors ant
kings.
Christians are to love their enemie,
in the same sense that God loves tn,
wor,d--sympathetica They are no
to love their enemies with affeciorat'
love, such as they bestow upon theil
families and friends. Their love 70
their enemies, as defined by Jesus
should be such as would lead them q
feed their bitterest enemy n he wer,
hungry TO cloths him II he were naked
They should not pray against their en-
emies, but for them In the sense o.
wishing them enlightenment and tru,
wisdom which would make them fol
lowers OF Jesus or, at least. well doors