Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1916-07-26

(M your God with all
l(RASTC)R RUSSELD your heart and
S&- -z-z-zS with all your
soul"
(Deut. 1879 A report follows;
Whoever looks out over the world
today can Perceive that God is judg-
ing the nations, especially those that
have been greatly blessed with His
favor. He is permitting the nations
Of Christendom TO pass judgment up
on themselves, to manifest their real
heart condition, to show whether
they have profited by their opportu-
mites and blessings. The Almighty
is bringing to light the real condi-
ton of humanity; and the nations are
NANTES ing the fact that SELFISH
NESS is the root from which spring
the evil fruits Of jealousy, envy, hat
lred, strife. The whole world is being
crazed as the angry passions of the
race are being aroused. Just as the
Master said to the Jews, Behold,
your House is left unto you desolate, y
so now desolation is coming upon
| ChristendCm. Bat mans extremity
will prove to be Gods opportunity.
Messiah's Kingdom is just beyond the
trouble, and will bring everlasting
peace and prosperity.
The world has come to esteem it
self 10 be Christian, the speaker said.
The European nations are generally
styled Christian nations" Neverthe-
less the Bible declares that the world
| is not Chris ian, has not the Spirit of
Christ in its activities. Therefore the
world is selfdeceived. To the extent
that nations have had light, to that
extent they are responsible. The BIZ
BILE does not credit the world with
those have full responsibility who
have taken the step of entire conse-
Grafton to God through Christ. Hav-
ing been begotten Of the Holy Spirit
these have an amount of light that
brings life or death sponNbility.
Worlds Judgment Begun.
The worlds responsibility is pro-
portionate to its light. Surely God
would expect more OF the peoples of
Europe than of Asia ana Africa, who
have little knowledge of Him! So
just at this time, when Bible chrome
logy shows that Gods lease of pow
er to the Gentle governments has
expired, we see exactly what we
should expect-that God is permit
ting the nations to pass judgment
whether or not they have made prop
er use of their opportunities for de-
lvelopment in righteousness.
These nations have had much to
say about the Lord; they have held
aloft the Cross of Christ; they have
many places for prayer and worship
hosts of priests and preachers OF an
denominations. With all these ad-
vantages for centuries, we might have
expected that Europe would be in Il
much better condition than 1t is
that the people would have learned
what is the Spiri. of Christ and what
is not. St Paul declares that the
Lords Spirit is manifested in meek
ness, gentleness, patience, godliness,
self control, love.
With the exception of Turkey, the
peoples of Europe claim to be Chris
tian. The Lord is now proving them.
Not having been taught Gods way,
the masses are demonstrating that
they are not His children. Not hav-
ing passed from condemnation to
justification by faith in Christ's re-
demptive sacrifice and by full con-
'secration to God, they are still in
their sins. Seemingly they have no
proper conception of their privilege
of presenting themselves living sacri
fees to God. (Romans 1871, p
Judged by what people themselves
declare, very few have taken these
steps. While in all these nations,
God has truly consecrated people,
yet the great mass are only outward
ly protesting Christians. Now He is
their true condition.
The Pastor fears that our own
country will not escape in the i'm
pending judgment. There is much of
Christian profession here-a form OF
goodness devoid of its power-much
of worldliness, extravaganza and cor
ruption. There Is also much of rest
lessness and dissatisfaction. Indeed,
the whole world is becoming crazed
as mems angry passions are being
stirred up. The whole world is DEM
onstrating that behind this trouble
which is spreading everywhere Is
SELFISHNESS. Pressure is brought
upon smaller countries to force
them into the conflict Nations have
bargained over the sacrifice of their
pepole's lives.
God is also judging His true peo-
pie. 1 Peter 4:17) While He has
Judged them throughout the Age, yet
His judgments are now to accomplish
a separating work. Matthew 1880
Nevertheless the faithful amongst
His people can rejoice, for their de-
liverance draweth near. Messiah's
Kingdom is at hand. even at the door.
and will bring everlasting peace and
blessing