Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-03-17

| <A&&Ht17IB&S&SYl to tllQK a man IS
'====-===s s-=---@=es==s=ssss=-s saved by adopting
certain theological propositions; GER
tain religious dogmas or teachings
The weakness of this position is
quite easily seen by the majority and
they Immediately say that the theory
must eventuate in practice; there Lust
be a program of conduct, and that
program must be carried out in actual
life.
Saved by Program.
For such a program the moral law
of God is put to tribute. The ethics
of wise men of Old Testament times;
the best ethics of seekers after truth
of the first centuries; the ethics of the
Sermon on the Mount and of Jesus
himself and his apostles. are all put
to tribute, and program of life is
presented. and if it can be carried
out, salvation will ensue perforce. This
belief is in the face of much teaching
eousnesses are as filthy rags Yet,
with all this, there are thousands of
men and women today who are trust
ing some program of living to be their
passport to eternal salvation. But
sincere students of the principles and
the ethics of Jesus have found that
other teachings of Jesus take the foun-
datfon from under this program. Let
it be kept in mind that the very same
book that teaches principles and a
program of living, is a book that en-
| phatically, and without confusion or
equivocation, proclaims that the SAL
walton of the soul is not the adoption
Of such principles nor such a program
of conduct.
Unique Religion.
The religion of Jesus Christ is
unique, being different from all other
religions in that those who are to re-
ceive its benefits are not to do so as
the result of their belief in it's prin.
ciples, nor an alignment of their lives
with it's program of conduct. Neither
Buddha nor Confucius nor Mohammed
comes with such a claim They give
the principles and the program, but
keep themselves in the background
Not SO with Jesus Christ, and, strange
as it may SEEM. his religion is, in &
sense, the most egotistic of all the
religions that the race of man has evel
received. He makes most astoundina
claims for himself: He is equal will
the Father; he is the son of God; hi
has all power given to him in HEAVIER
and on earth: he can raise the dead
he can lay down his life, but he cal
take it up again; he can forgive sin
he is worthy to receive all honor ant
worship, both of men and of angels
in short, he claims to be God. H,
clearly teaches that salvation is no
in assent to, nor in belief in his prin
ciples, nor in following a program O
conduct that he gives, but in livin,
union with himself
Personality of Jesus Christ.
We may note that in the text w
find that belief is referred to, but n
mint is given of principles, or a prc
gram of living. The belief here. how
ever. is not to be a mere intellectual
exercise, but soul movement. Thi
teaching is frequent: Believe on tn
I Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt b
saved" He that believeth on the So
, OF God hath everlasting life;" Com
unto me all ye that labor and ar
| heavy laden and l will give you rest.
; NOW all this teaches that religion
: not a matter of principles or program
J but of personal contact with Jesu
Christ. He is represented as the hea
OF the body, of which saved men ar
the members. He is the chief part {
t the great spiritual building known a
: the church of God, of which his belle,
ers are parts. He is the vine in whic
| believers are the branches. 1t is il
: innate, personal contact all the wa
( through. One has very properly said
D Much of the deafness that has com
D to modern Christendom has resulte
from loose ideas of the personal ell
q ment in proclaiming the gospel; i
presenting a creed instead of Christ
= In presenting plan of salvation rattle
than person who saves
q Personal Contact Effected,
|. How to get this personal conta,
8 with Jesus?' Study Jesus, as he
t presented, especially in the gospe
T and epistles of the New Testament E
s the Son of God While no one can sa
: Jesus is Lord, except by the Hol
Spirit, yet by following the Holy Spir
J, In his teaching in the Scriptures. W
s may believe that he will give ligl
g upon light as man goes on honestl
:. and sincerely seeking to know truth ;
this point
d linen let there be an utter and cor
t plete surrender of the soul to JEST
Christ. When Saul of Tarsus criet
l. "What shall l do, Lord?" as he ls
d PROSTATE on the earth by the gate
n Damascus, he made the great sure
der which brought him to personal Sc
II Fat1on, but as we'll to the adoption
principles that gave him a program
. conduct pleasing to God.