The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1924-01-30


the man who is Intellectually weak will
not be identical with the approach of
the scholarly philosopher.
The three texts of Scripture an
nounced present the approach of Jesus
Christ very logically, and If the expert
ence of all Christians in their approach
to Christ were analysed, it would be
found that the three conceptions given
in these texts would be realized in
some measure. We have mere three
things-belief or a creed-confession
or the public acknowledgment Of
Jesus Christ as Savior-and the per-
sonal treatment of Jesus Christ on the
part of the sinner.
/. There must be heart belief as to
the person of Christ. What think We
of Christ? What dox the man really
believe in his heart about Jesus Christ,
especially whose son is He? Was Jesus
Christ merely a teacher of marvellous
ability, a superman; or, was He the
only begotten Son of God, entirely
unique in His personality, possessing
NAA1 VI tGNAACF ~
niscienee, omnipotence, eternity and
unchangeableness? 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
dogmatic statement required as TO the
person of the Son of God? 1t is vital
that a man have the right view of the
person of Jesus Christ.
,. The second passage of Scripture
asks the. question, But whom say We
that l amp the question Of Jesus to
His disciples. He could moi 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 g 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 az this point 9. confs Ethat
we have some of the most impressive
testimonials to the b-lessedness of it.
DR.. A. j. Gordon tells of a young man
who was dying and was told that he
could be saved in three minutes If he
said these words: Il believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God, and l accept
Him as my personal Savior" He said
those words somewhat mechanically,
but the result was his salvation and
although he lived but a 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 a matter
Of personal treatment of Jesus Christ
on the part of the sinner. With many
it is exceedingly difficult TO impress the
thought of personal dealings with
Christ. The opinion about Him, the
acknowledging of His claim in some
public confession is accepted as proper.
but it is difficult to get a man to see
that he has a question of personal deal
ing with Jesus Christ TO consider.
When Saul of Tarsus was smitten at
the gate of Damascus, he heard a voice
saying, saul, Saul. why p%ersecutest
thou Me-"
Pilates question was n that came
from his Utmost being, what shall I
do then with Jesus which is called
Christi" Jesus Christ was on his
hands, he must do something. It was
a question Of theory as to Christ,
but there stood the lowly Nazarene
before Plate, and he as a Roman Of
ieer must set Him free or send Him
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. "lnasmuch as We have
done it unto one of the least of these
my brethren, We have done it unto nae"
said Jesus.
There is a very serious thought about
this third passage of Scripture: some
day PLATE viii stand before Jesus,
who sits on the judgment throne, and
then what viii Jesus the Judge do with
plate? Today the sinner is free TO
accept or reject Jesus Christ. but some
Say the sinner will stand before Jesus
Christ as Judge. What will Jesus do
with him then?