Graham guardian., 1915-11-19

\
- - s2ksa ton and godliness,
klHASl0R RQSStLlJJ looking for and
hasting unto the
coming OF the Day of God, wherein the
heavens being on fire shall be dlssoly
ed, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heatT'-2 Peter 3:11, II.
The Pastor suggested that the phrase,
"Hastening the preparation for the
Day of God" gives more nearly the
Apostles thought than does the Com
mon Version rendering; for it is ap'
parent that we cannot hasten that Day,
since the Divine Plan was fixed before
the foundation Of the world. We can
hasten our preparation for the things
coming, however. The Day Of the
Lord is now present. 1t is necessary
for us to realize what manner Of per-
sons we should be and then to be such
pcrsOns-faithful to the Lord In all
things. giving as much time as possible
to the perfecting Of ourselves and to
the upbuilding of one another in the
most holy faith.
eraI heavens and earth. but Of the
symboliC-the present ecclesiastical
and social organizations. The Prophet
Zephaniah 1:l4-lS; 3:S, D also speaks
OF this great burning time of the Day
of the Lord. Even now the present
heavens, the nominal church systems,
are In much distress. Both preachers
and people are wondering what these
things mean that are taking place.
They have been declaring that the
world is growing better, that soon all
will be converted through the church
es. They have been saying, Peace!
peaCew But instead have come riot
and war. There has been no real
peace. der. G:14-19) The only ones
who have such basis are those Chris.
lians who are hearkening to Gods Word.
Life is a battle All mankind are
more or less contentious to have the
best they can get. The true Christians
fight Is with himSelf-against selfish
ness, against a strong desire to follow
bis own natural inclinatiOns He finds
much to contend with in the meanness
of the fallen nature. The world. on
the contrary. Imagine that many Of
these traits are praisewOrthy. But the
Lord gives His children different in
He Is offering them a great
honor, immortality, joint
heirShip with Christ in the Heavenly
Cor. 20; 2 Peter 4.
incompatible Value Of These Riches.
The speaker then discussed the value
Of this prize aud the terms upon which
1t will be granted. Those who have
accepted the Divine offer must become
copies of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ro.
mans S:29D Were they to set their
hearts upon earthly things, they would
surely lose the prize. (Colossians 31-3)
In the time of Jesus Second Presence
His saints will be gloritied with Him.
Gods people look from the Divine
at the dissOlving Of all
things pertaining to this present Dis.
pensatiOn. The only thing that will
not be shaken down and dissolved is
The Kingdom of God. lHebrews 1926.
% Everything unjust, untrue, impcr
feet will be removed in this final shak-
ne. These imperfect things will be con-
'umed in the great symbolic fire. The
newspapers say that there Is great
in Europe-the present
war. The things of the Present Order
ecclesiastical. social, financial. po-
1 fif.pl h.. al, ,,E
he summer threShing floor, and the
wind shall carry them away forever.
Then the New Order will come in
The true Church OF God will be the
new heavens all Of Gods saints.
There will he II new eHrth"-a new
social order. This will gradually bring
II perfection. Mankind will be deliv-
'red from sin and death. Christ Je.
'us will always be the Head Of the
-hurch. although after their glorious
.hangc Il Corinthians l5:5l, 52) the
ohurCh will not need the robe of His
righteousness - imputed justification.
rhe change Of the Church the speaker !
believes to be very near.
~'e' eSNS' lNSSCood'I "
ship.
The remainder of the discourse
VAS devoted to characterdeyelOpment |
iod's people hope to attain the char. |
lCter-likeness of Christ. He had the |
spirit in all things. lie made
he Fathers will His own. so are they |
o do. They are TO have the mind of |
ChriSt.-Philippians %.
The Scriptures instruct us that the
lords Spirit manifests itself in meek.
IesS in our intercourse with the brcth. |
'cn. in II humble appreciation Of self, |
II COnteutmCnt with whatever God |
gives us. in II delight to have Christ as |
'ur Teacher. God is now calling only |
hose possessed Of Il strong individual. !
ty and love for righteousness. They |
must have real character. strong |
Will. trained to full obedience to God.