The Washington herald., 1915-01-11


vine grace Jesus
llRASIG)R RUSSEllJI ,hrist the Righteous
died for his sins.
and that through faith IN the atoning
blood and obedience to tie Redeemer 5
teachings he has become "a New Crea-
ture in Christ" For such. "Old things
have passed away, and all thtngs have
become new" Such New Creatures are
separate and distinct from all other men,
bers OF the race. Instead of earthly aims,
ambitions, and hopes, theirs are HeaV-
eniy.
1t is not sufficient that these should
make the proper start of faith in Christ
and full conservation to do Gods Will
and not their own. 1t 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 3:1S)
This is styled putting on Christ'-add-
ing the graces of character which God
will accept and reward with association
with the Lord Jesus in His Kingdom For
these God has made provision of spiritual
food i'm the Bible-"meat in due season
for the Household of Faith. tMattheW
2i:iJD These are represented as at hrst
babes in Christ" requiring the milk OF
the Word. but II faithful, gradually at
and the power of His might"
Such spirit-begotten Christians must
flight a good fight''-not with others, but
with themselves, overcoming the weak
nesses and bese tments OF their own fallen
flesh, the allurements Of their environ
ment and the wiles of the Adversary.
Such as are faithful in these respects are
Scripturally styles "overcomers." the
very Elect" The promise 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-"partakers Of the Divine nature" I"
q Peter 1:4) These in death are "sown
in weakness" ''in dishonor,' human be-
ings, but are raised from the dead ''in
glory" 'in power" spirit beings.-1 Cor
inthians 1913.
Jesus promise to these overcomers
reads, ITO him that overcometh will I
grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even
as overcame and am set down with Ny
Father in His Throne"-'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
thousand years."-Revelation 3:21; S:26;
2O:6.
All HIS teachings are applicable to this
special class-those who have become His
followers. He did not assume to be a
Teacher OF the world, but merely Of those
who leave the world, sacrificing all to be-
come His disciples. To these He said,
"Ye are not OF the world, even as I am
not of the world" again, IF the world
hate you, ye know that 1t hated Me be-
fore it hated you" He did not include
IA Ill. k,,EI
rather counted them in with the world.
In evidence Of this, we note the fact that
the world which prosecuted Him was the
Jewish nation, profsssediy Gods conse-
Grated 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
Christians.
These are the Christians addressed by
the Master saying, Il say unto you, That
ye resist not evil; but whosoeyer shall
smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to
him the other also. And II any man will
sue thee at the law, and take away thy
coat, let him have thy cloak also. And
Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, |
70 with him twain."-Matthew 5:39-43
ret not to the extreme supposed by some. |
The turning of the other cheek, as illus |
rated by Jesus own conduct, was a fig |
lrative expression, signifying willingness !
% have both cheeks smitten rather than |
njure another. Christians are to be law !
abiding. whether they consider the laws |
ust or unjust. II, therefore, the law de- /,
1rive them Of a coat, they are to yield |
{ up. II the law go further and deprive /
hem OF their cloak, they are still to be /
but submit with good grace, I
Inowing that hereunto they were called. !
Be Il noted that neither coat nor cloak /
vas to be given up merely upon demand,
,ut only after the law, justly or unjustly. |
lpd so decreed. Similarly with respect
o the compulsory walking of a mile: the
Christian Is not to submit himself to |
very whim of everybody; but, seeking
o do Gods will. he is to go about his
,wn business. unless the opposition to
i'm amount to a compelling. And this,
rnder ordinary circumstances, would
mean a legal compelling; for the protec-
ion Of the laws OF the land in which he
ives may be sought to protect him in his
lights and liberties, as st. Paul appealed
o governors and kings.
Christians are to love their enemies In
he same sense that God loves the world
-sympathetlcally. They are not to love
heir enemies with affectionate love, such
S they bestow upon their families and
riends. Their love for their enemies. as
efined by Jesus, should be such as would
cad them to feed their bitterest enemy
[ he were hungry, to clothe him IL he
rere naked. They should not pray
Eainst their enemies, but for them In
he sense of wishing them enlightenment
nd true wisdom, which would make them
oIlowers Of Jesus, or, at least, well-doers.
Christians are not to lay up for them
elves treasures on earth: for they have
the earth and all hopes Of a
uture life upon earth. Their walk In the
ootsteps OF Jesus signifies that as He
ast aside all earthly ambitions, hopes
nd aims so would they, taking instead
he Heavenly ambitions, hopes and aims.
n other words. they live for the future.
his will not hinder them from the ordi-
airy pursuits Of LIE to the extent that