Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-09-12
Blu Bishop w. A. Gambler

1t is assumed by not a few people
that a mans cIeed has no effect upon
his character Or conduct; but this as
sumption finds no support in reason
or revelation
When God save the Ten Command
ments - Israel at Sinai the first words
uttered were: Hear, o Israel, the
Lord Thy God is one God" This
divine reputation OF pOlytheism an
sublime assertion of monotheism Is the
credaI source from which the decalogue
issues. The polytheistic faith Is utter
" inconsistent with the Ten Command
ments. and the morals OF polytheism
must ever be infinitely below the ethical
standards OF a monOtheistic creed
Early in the history OF the race We
find a notable example OF a credal reve-
lation OF God. coupled with command
ment OF all inclusive religion. TO Aora-
ham. the Father OF the faithful We
read. And when Abram was ninety
years old and nine, the Lord appeared
10 Abram and said unto him, am the
Almighty God; walk before me and De
thou perfect" Genesis XVIII
The truth concerning the divine ma
turs. which was thus proclaimed tol
Abram. is expressed in the affirmation
Of the Apostles creed. wherein Chris
tfan disciple declares. Il believe In Coo
the Father Almighty" This simple
and sublime truth has immediate con-
nection with both personal character ana
personal conduct No one can really be-
Heve IL without being profoundly infiu-
enced by IT. No one can doubt or deny
without moral harm of the worst char
acter.
Faith in Cod as the Almighty One Is
the fhly basis upon which 10 hope Tor /
human perfectability, or aspire TO the
highest heights of holiness II Feeble
ana faIIfbIe man is utterly separated
from an Almighty Father. then he may
we'll despair OF ever attaining TO the
Hottest spiritual excellence. Without
ca nan is without hope in his efforts
at moral progress and spiritual ADVANCE
ment-
To reveal TO men a high moral stand
ara without, at the same time. reveal
ing TO them a personal God. OF impecca-
Die uurity and limitless power, coupled
with fatherIy sympathy. is 70 plunge
them into moHl hOpelessness- Where-
fore when Jesus proclaimed the Sermon
on the Mount. which we may regard as
the magma charta Of the Kingdom OF
Heaven. he called men 10 the highest
holiness in view of the Heavenly Faith
er's character, saying. BE We periect
as your Father in Heaven Is perfect
There are men who are fond Of say
ing 81 believe in the Ten Coudandments
and the Sermon on the Mount, but 90
noe care for any Of your creeds- Sucn
talk is very shallow. Obedience 70 the
Ten Commandments and conformity 70
the Sermon on the Mount are utterly
impossfbIe 10 a man without faith
Hence the declaration in the Epistle 10
the Hebrews, Without faith IL is i'm
possible TO please God" The law OF
God, observed in the life IS Impossible
urfthout the life OF God established in
the heart. Wherefore said the psalmist
Of the cody man. The law OF his Coo
Is in his heart; none % his steps shall
slide"
God taught Abraham that the secret
and the power OF human perfection is
found ''in walking before God" and We
may well lay TO heart this great truth
Let US be well assured that so far as
man apprOximates to perfection II must
be by the development and integrity Of
mis- moral character through faith in
Almighty God
Moral perfection is not a thing which
can be built up out Of the materials Of
human lie on a creedless basis, but IL
is thing which follows naturally and
spontaneously from the just perception
and true realization OF the position and
relation which we stand to God HUI
man perfection has to be founded in
God, and not in human strength. The
right discharge OF all duties relative to
absolute is dependent on the disposition
Of the human heart to God. and its per-
feet submission to the divine regulation
OF life.
A great English divine says most truly
with reference 70 this point, Here we
recognize very plainly the vital force of
that blassed gospel truth that a man Is
not justified by his works. but By faith
truly righteous is not any effort on his
part to achieve any action and complete
ness OF Wilderness or character which
may command. II IL does not aim at
securing the admiration Of his fellow
men, the cOmmendation Of himself. but
the fact that, leaning on the invisible
God. looking 10 the Father who is AL
mighty, who can call those things which
be not as though they were, he finds