Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1922-04-05

MMN, & NNMa political aspect.
@TNN b VIVA The hu IN II
sour mas ll.ins spiritual enemies that
gather around and settle down upon
1t. The Bible names seven Of these:
the guilt Of Sin, which brings con-
demnation; the dominion Of sin, which
brings despair; the thralldom of the
world, which promises satisfaction
ana never gives 1t !; the voice Of the
law which requires righteousness and
PROMPTS unrighteousness the powers
or darkness, subtle and binding; the
fenr Of death, with It's separating pow
er ana the wrath to come us the result
OF sin.
These create an unh0ly fear from
which there Is no human escape. just
rs enemies around Il fort cause uncer-
thihty and concern unless the fort Is
held by an invincibic force, so does
Sill produce misgiving and fear. There
Is no force in the human heart supc-
rior to the assaults OF sin aI. Satan.
Thcrcrorc, there Is no human escape
from This unholy fear. Neither the
DoluncSS OF Ignorance, nor the boast
fulness or presumption, nor the game
OF bluff will avail here. In the Inst
analysis Il man Is what he Is before
God, which in common speech means
That he Is sinner by nature and prnc-
tice. HE that commiteth sin Is the
bond servant Of sin" The first need
OF all such Is deliverance.
The delivernnce provided fully meets
the need Of the case. Over against
Sin. In all Its aspects. the world with
all Its glitter; the law with It's claims
and requirements the powers Of dark.
ness with their subtle delusions; the
fear Of death and the "wrath to come"
one can, if he so wills, write the words
of Thes., 10, "Jesus which dellv-
cred u.s." or Gal. 1 Il, "He gnve him.
self for our sins that he might leliv-
er us from this present evil world" |;
or Rom. 7:6, I'VE are delivered from
The law, or J Cor 10 :50-57, "'rhe
sting Ot death iS Sin and the strength
Of sin is the lazy, but ,hanKs hc 70 God
who gtvcttt us the victory through our
lord Jesus Christ Here Is y great
deliVerunce adequate III every respect,
making provision for the guilt Of the
past, meeting the need Of the present
and inspiring glorious hope for the
future. Thus "belng delivered out Of
the hand Of our enemies" we "should
serve Him without fear"
The best service that Gun be offered
to God prior to our spiritual and ex-
permcntnl delivernnce through Christ
Is characterized in Scripture as "dead
works." These dead works arc the
result Of the effort to atone for sln
They nrc the sum total Of an attempt
to do the best we can with the hope
and purpose OF making amends for the
evil that Is in heart and life. Instinct
lively the human spirit senses the hOll-
ness OF God and Its own UnhOllness.
Conscience renfIirms what Scriptures
assert, namely. "thnt your iniquities
have separated between you and your
Cod" Then the question arises
"What must do to be snvcd2" Every
answer to this question, with the eX-
ceptlon Of one, has been false and mis-
leading. Reason says: "Do some
thing, work, serve" Gods revelation
speaks, not Of something to do but Of
something done by another. not Of
human works but Of Christs finished
work, not Of service rs q way Of de-
livcrance but deliverance as n way Of
service. 1t points to Calvary rs a
place Of pardon, Of peace and OF pow
er. Being delivered by the mighty
work Of Christ In death and resurrec-
tion, we can serve without fear.
The service Of delivered soul Is
a glad. free service. II gave thee thy
liberty" snys Christ. and the heart re-
plies: Master, I will serve Thee for
ever" Like Saul Of Tarsus, who
when converted, signed himself "Paul.
tho bondslave Of Jesus Christ" so
does the truly-saved person bring to
his Lord, not only his sins but his
life. Like the prodigal he asks only
to be made servant, but the Father
first e. es him place as son, and
then as such he goes about the Faith
er's business. Deliverance, service
this is always Gods order.