Graham guardian., 1916-02-04

lGaslQS kQ9SIlly iOspel Age Is
unique, the Pas
tor began. During this Age there is q
different kind Of Justification from
what the world will have during the
next Age. Then. mankind will have
actual perfection Of body, mind and
morals. But now, God has a different
arrangement. From the time that we
accept the Lords conditions Of com
pete conservation to do His will, we
receive justification by faith-imputed
justification, not actual. This imputa-
tion does not make us perfect We
have the same brain, the same mind,
the same body, as before: but God
reckons us righteous.
The speaker then showed how this is
possible. Whoever has given up his
own will and been accepted Of God re-
ceives a begetting Of the Holy Spirit
to Il new nature-a spirit nature. Thus
he becomes q New Creature In Christ.
Old things pass away; all things be-
come newe-new hopes, aims. ambitions,
etc. But this New Creatur tabernacles
In blemished mortal body, in which
he must develop a Chrtstllke charac.
ter. Here Gods arrangement In Christ
comes in. So long as we abide In
Christ, the merit OF His sacrifice Gov
ers US like a robe. This pure white
robe Is put on by all who become dis
ciples of Jesus. and is fgurativeiy call
ed wedding garment, the robe Of
Christ's righteousness, covering all the
imperfections Of the mortal body.
The New Creature develops the nee
essary character by fighting against
the encroachments OF the world, tho
flesh, and the Adversary. He fights not
with carnal weapons, but with the
armor provided by-God. tEphesians
6:12-1S). Surrounded on all sides by
the imperfections Of the old nature, and
beset by temptations from without, the
New Creature wages continual war
fare. He must fight good fight. 10
order to come of victorious.
Meantime God Is not looking coldly
on. AS father pities his children, 50
the Lord pities those who have become
His children and are seeking to walk in
His Sons steps. They are as dear to
Him as the apple Of His eye. He sees
that nothing shall hurt them. he does
not regard them as sinners now. Their
imperfect flesh is covered by the robe
of Christ's righteousness. but the 6esh
is not to be preserved. Having been
presented in sacrifice, 1t Is to be con.
sumed.-1 Corinthians 1850
High Calling vs.. Restitution.
The Pastor then contrasted the High
Calling Of the Gospel Church with the
Restitution which the world will ex.
perience during the incoming Age. II
Is wrong thought to suppose that
God will give the Christian the best
of everything for the mortal body and
will so guard him as to prevent injury
to his body 1t Is the New Creature
which God is preparing for glory. not
the natural man; and this preparation
is made by means Of the precious
promises Of the Word. Those who have
accepted the High Calling cannot have
Restitution.
The Church have sacrificed their hu'
manity. They have become heirs OF
Heavenly things, have been begotten
again as spirit beings. like our Lord
Jesus God delivered up Jesus freely
for us all, and permitted His enemies
to ill-tr, at Him and finally to put Him
to death. Our Lord, meantime. was
do re- h,- pho
dience in the things which He suffered
So will It be with the Church.
Following His Stops.
The remainder of the discourse con.
sisted In n review Of the three and
half years Of our Lords earthly minis
try. The speaker showed that our
Lord offered Himself In conservation
to the Fathers VIII and symboli1ed
that conservation at Jordan, thus pic
turing both His death and His resur-
rection. His actual baptism was fn-
ished AT Calvary. Then He ascended
on High. appeared in the presence Of
God for His Church, and beca me their
Surety their Advocate with the Pa.
ther.
Then the Pastor demonstrated that
God has invited the Church to become
purtakers OF Christ's sufferings now In
order to become sharers In His glory
to follow. II has been an invitation,
not command A command to sacri.
ice life would not be Just! He has set
before the Church great prize-glory.
honor and Immortality. This Message
He has sent forth: and wherever Il
goes, 1t appeals to certain hearts, and
to those only. All these must become
copies OF His dear Son In character;
for only such will receive the prize at
the end Of the way.-Romans 500