Democratic messenger., 1919-06-21

BzB ~ AX&z1M impossible 20 en-
slave Bible read
Ing people When Jesus said "'rhe
truth shall make YOU free, he referred
to truth which ceutcrS in his own per
Sonaliiy. In Johns gospel he says. II
am the Way. the Truth and the Life:
no man cometll Ia the Father but 10y
me" Again he said: III the son shall
make You free. W shall hr free indeed"
The truth which is the source ~ free
dom, is thus not u principle. hut a
person. The So.called Christian liv.
ing of all ages has been mnrred hy
substituting things for Christ himself:
creed for "A Christ n system for q
Savior, plan of redemption for
Redecmer. or even The church for
Christ himself Thus thousands have
Joined the churches with no more spir.
itual experience Of union with Christ
than II they had Joined the Changers
or Elks.
Freedom From the Guilt Of Sin.
knowledge Of the incarnate, sin
bearing Christ and the personal ac-
ceptance OF him ns Savior brings free
dom from the guilt of sin. We shall
never In this life measure the full
meaning OF Christ's death. but Beth
lehem, Gethsemnne. Calvary and Olivet
bear the footprints Of our Father
God seeking lost humanity through
his only begotten son. Jesus Christ.
Freedom from guilt Is secured by
accepting the finished work of Christ
knowledge Of the sinless and tri-
umphnnt Christ and surrender of ones
life 10 his control. through the Spirit
is the source nf freedom from the
ly taught in the gospel than That Jesus
saved his people from their sins by
the indwelling Of his very life in them.
The union of believers To Christ is
a. vital and real as the union ~ the
branch with the vine. Believers are
10 live as indwelt and energized by
ChriSt'S life and to be fruit-beHrers
through his life walk in the Spirit
and We shall not fulfill the lustS of
the flesh" is the divine injunction.
Christ within brings victory over sin.
His holy fire will blaze and burn and
cleanse. and even turn our teInpta-
tiOns into sources Of power.
Freedom From the Fear OF Death.
knowledge OF Christ as victor over
death and aE our risen and assembled
Lord gives freedom from bondage To
the fear Of death. Death Is n fearful
thing apart from fellowship with
Christ. But knowing of Christs tri'
umph over death, and trusting his
fsthfulness and power we have no
need to fear On d night OF darkness
and storm q Christian physician WAS
called upon 10 visit dying friend.
He made the journey through rain and
sleet and entered the lighted room
where thu friend was dying. The man.
though n processing Christian, was not
nrm in faith and wak not without
fear. Frankly he said II feel that
! am going out into unknown realms,
and I dread H." lust then the physi-
clans little dog whlned and scratched
az the door for admission. The physi-
clan said My little dog has never
been at this door before and knows
nothing Of what is To be found within
this room. hut he knows that |, his
master and human friend am here.
20 he is not afraid. but yearns 10 en-
ter" The dying man caught the
meaning and rested his hope on the
waiting Christ.
Because Of what Christ IL and he
cause OF where he is. we can he free
from the bondage of fear as We face
the future. He Is the assembled SA-
vior and is preparing n place for US.
He is the inierceding Savior and
knows the help We need In time ~
trial He is the glorlned Savior and
will share his glory with US. Heavens
light will he the glBdness Of his coun-
tenance. Il II not enough that he
has said Whose serveth me. him will
my Father honor; and where am
there shall also my servant bsr'