Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1921-04-14
CAN'T TRAVEL
both PATHS
SAYSMINISTER
DR.. Gross Ridicules ATTEMPT
10 Serve Lord and
World Too

ITO him that overcometh will 7
give to eat of the hidden mama. and
VIII give white stone, and in the
stone q new name written, which no
man knoweth saving he that re-
ceiyeth it." Rev. 2:l7.
FROM the above text DIR. Gross
last night at the Baptist revival ad
duced the subject-"The Rewards
OF the Overcoming Christian" and
said in part: "On the very surface
OF the text you will see that exceed
ing precious promises are made to
tne overcoming christian, rather
these precious promises with ali
their rich meaning are made to the
christian who is continually over
coming.
mo one knows the full depth Of
the riches of these marvellous prom
ises- The hidden mamma seems To
mean-special and satisfying grace
for every time of need. The white
stone may mean the evidence of the
possession of pardoning love and the
new name, perhaps refers to spec
ial covenant mercies. What ever
full import of these highly figura-
tive promises, they certainly refer
to special help and blessing all along
the course"
"in this text the christian life is
compared to warfare. Not one bat
tie but many. Not one conflict but
many. Not one hardship but many.
Indeed no where does God promise
that the christian shall be free from
conflict and hardship; but he does
promise that he shall always have
grace and strength given to con-
quer In his battles and win in his
conflicts. No matter how many bat
ties we may have to fight il we are
absolutely assured of constant and
final victory The only condition Is
that we be wholehearted in the fight
and undivided in our allegiance to
the Master.
christianity is either the best
thing in the world or the poorest
thing. II is always the best and most
satisfying thing in the world when
we are out and out for God with
our whole hearts; but the most un-
satisfying thing possible when we
try to run with God and the world
at the same time. A half hearted
christian il sorry specimen. He
can neither enjoy christianit nor the
world
''The devil knows all our weak
spots and would defeat US at every
turn if he could, but if we will keep
up the fight God will always give US
the victory and fill us with note
Of victory above all earthly joys. One
cannot name all the fights but in
a general way the christian life may
be divided into four great fights.
Il. The battle at the gate which
must be fought before one ever be-
come. a christian. We win this fight
by complete surrender to God and
are filled with the joyous conscious
ness of sins forgiven and acceptance
with God. What earthly JOY Is com
paable to this?
"2. Next the battle at the cross.
Willing just to follow wherever
God leads. Victc-y here trings a
triumphant note of song. Many chris-
tians fail Of the conquerinc note in
their life because are not wholly for
God; but are trying to run with tht
world also.
"3. Then comes the battle st the
heart which we learn not only to &C
the will of God but TO suffer il ir
the spirit-without murmuring OF
complaining but joyfully. Here we
gain the greatest victory and win
the richest reward.
"4. AMI last comes the battle OF
death ana thc greatest victory Of al
to the overcoming christian. For il
one has lived close to God in life
God will be with him in death. Al
such an hour God is never found
wanting
"Oh that we all may become over
coming christians all along the way
for only thus can we most help
others.