Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1924-01-25

the man who is intellectually weak will
not be identical with the approach Of
the scholarly philosopher.
The three texts Of Scripture an
nouneed present the approach Of Jesus
Christ very logically, and If the expert
ence OF al Christians In their approach
70 Christ were analysed, it would be
found that the three conceptions given
In these texts would be realized in
some measure. We have here three
things-belief or creed-confesslo
or the public acknowledgment Of
Jesus Christ as savior--and the per-
sonal treatment Of Jesus Christ on the
part Of the sinner.
l. There must be heart belief as to
the person Of Christ. What think We
Of Christ? What does the man really
believe in his heart about Jesus Christ,
especially whose son is He7 Was Jesus
Christ merely teacher of marvellous
ability, supernan; or, was He the
only begotten Son Of God, entirely
unique in His personality, possessing
the attributes Of Omnipresence, ON
niscience, omnipotence. eternity and
unchangeableness2 In these days there
Is strong opposition to any positive be-
lief and in expressing IN any form a
dogmatic statement. but is not such a
dogmatlc statement required as to the
person Of the Son OF God7 1t is vital
that man have the right view of the
person Of Jesus Christ.
2. The second passage OF Scripture
asks the question, "But whom say We
that T amy the question Of Jesus to
His disciples. He could not have those
men as His chosen followers unless
they were willing to make open CON
fession Of what they believed in their
hearts as to His personality. The
word Say is very significant. 1t is
not enough that person have heart
belief IN Jesus Christ as the very Son
of God, but It is required that the be-
lief be put into the form Of confession.
II Is at this point Of confession that
we have some Of the most impressive
testimonials to the blessedness Of Il.
DIR. A. ]. Gordon tells of a young man
who was dying and was told that he
could be saved in three minutes IL he
said these words; Il believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God. and / accept
Him as my personal Savior" He said
those words somewhat mechanically,
but the result was his salvation; and
although he lived but few minutes
after he said them. he gave the clear
est evidence of having passed from
death unto life.
3. In the third text we have matter
OF personal treatment Of Jesus Christ
on the part of the sinner. With many
1t is exceedingly difficult to Impress the
thought Of personal dealings with
Christ. The opiplon about Him, the
acknowledging of His claim in some
public confession is accepted as proper,
but 1t is difficult TO get man to see
that he has a question Of personal deal
ing with Jesus Christ to consider.
When Saul of Tarsus was smftten al
the gate of Damascus. he heard voice
saying. saul, Saul, why persecutest
thou Me?"
fHateS question was one that came
from his inmost being, what shall l
do then with Jesus which Is called
Christ?' Jesus Christ was on his
hands, he must do something. 1t was
not question of theory as to Christ,
but there stood the lowly Nazarene
before PLATE, and he as a Roman of
heer must set Him free or send Hin
to the cross. Every man and woman
must do something with Jesus as He
Is faithfully presented to him or her,
must personally accept or personally
reject Him "Inasmuch as We have
done it unto one Of the least Of these
my brethren, We have done 1t unto me-"
said Jesus.
There is very seriousthought about
this third passage of Scripture: some
day PLATE will stand before Jesus,
who sits on the judgment throne, and
then what will Jesus the Judge do with
PLATE? To-Day the sinner is free TO
accept or reject Jesus Christ, but some
day the sinner will stand before Jesus
Christ as Judge. What will Jesus do
with MIN then7