The log cabin Democrat., 1916-03-16


 certain theological propositions; cer- 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 must 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 a 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 of the Word of God that mans right 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- dation from under this program.
 Unique Religion.
 The religion of Jesus Christ is unique, being different from all other religions in that those who are to re- ceive it's 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 a sense, the most egotistic of all the religions that the race of man has ever received. He makes most astounding claims for himself: He is equal with the Father; he is the son of God; he has all power given to him in heaven and on earth; he can raise the dead; he can lay down his life, but he can take it up again; he can forgive sin; he is worthy to receive all honor and worship, both of men and of angels; in short, he claims to be God. He clearly teaches that salvation is not in assent to. nor in belief in his prin- ciples, nor in following a program of conduct that he gives, but in living union with himself
 Personality of Jesus Christ.
 We may note that in the text we find that belief is referred to, but no hint is given of principles, or pro gram of living. The belief here, how exercise, but soul movement. This teaching is frequent: Relieve on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved; He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life;" Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" Now all this teaches that religion is not matter of principles or program, but of personal contact with Jesus Christ. He is represented as the head of the body, of which saved men are the members. He is the chief part of the great spiritual building known as the church of God, of which his believ- CTS are parts. He is the vine in which believers are the branches. It is in timate, personal contact all the way through. One has very properly said : Much of the deadness that has come to modern Christendom has resulted from loose ideas of the personal ele- ment in proclaiming the gospel; in presenting a creed instead of Christ in presenting plan of salvation rather than a person who saves"
 How to get this personal contact with Jesus? Study Jesus, as he is presented, especially in the gospels the Son of God. While no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit, yet by following the Holy Spirit in his teaching in the Scriptures. we may believe that he will give light upon light as man goes on honestly and sincerely seeking to know truth at this point
 Then let there be an utter and com plete surrender of the soul to Jesus Christ When Saul of Tarsus cried What shall 1 do, Lord?" as he lay | prostrate on the earth by the gate o Damascus, he made the great surren der which brought him to personal sal | vation, but as well to the adoption O. principles that gave him a program O ] conduct pleasing to God.