The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-12-29

Sunday, Dec. 30.
I John 5:1-12.
Golden Text Whosoeyer be
iieveth that Jesus is the ChrlSt IS
born of God: and every one that
iloveth him that Degat loveth him
also that is begotten OF MINI
John 81. -. A..
The aim of our studies in the
Christian life for the present
quarter has been "To interpret
and deepen Christian experience
by showing how it is rooted IN
Christian faith, develops by stud.
and worship, and expresses lt2et
in Christian attitudes and sheEV-
ice" :.
A brief and admirable series it
is practically summarized in this
lesson which is concise ana
comprehensive passage from the
writings of John the Apostle OF
love. In our look with him at the
tests of Christian we have
backlook showing how Christ
helps us to live our best and an
onlOok to victory through Christ
both on earth and in heaven.
ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST:
REDEEMED
4 Christian is a Child of God,
The greatest possible change that
can take place in any human be
ing is to "begotten of God" That
means not rebirth but new birth;
not reformation but regeneration,
not an old nature reshaped but
new nature created. What are
the evidences that such a change
has taken place? What proofs OF
it can be given? Here are four
great tests: The first is faith. 1t
lis fair in a Person. That Person
was Jesus of Nazareth. Not only
was there such a historical person
but he was and is the Christ, the
Messiah promised through the
PROPHETS of old. If he is the
Christ he is the Son of God. His
Messiahship and his dietv go to-
gether. Faith in him is funda-
mental. The second is love. Faith
and love 90 together. The love
of God is supreme in the Chris
tian heart and life. As he loves
God he devotedly loves Christ. AS
he loves Christ he loves Chris
tians who share with him the
same faith and hope and love.
The third is obedient. Love to
God inspires and implies obed-
fence to his will. Indeed obed-
fence is the proof Of love and Of
faith. To one who loves God his
commandments are not irksOme
for he is willing and even anXi-
Gus to do them. They are not
even burdens0hne for the Chris
tan gainst strength by doing
them and God furnishes addition
al strength as needed. Moreover,
obedience to God is the best and
only channel for the expression
of love to the brethren. The
fourth is victory. Life even for
the Christian is full of struggle.
The victorious life is possible and
indeed q duty. But it is accom-
plished not by the Christian alone
but by Christ in him and through
him. Thus we may be "more
than conquerors through him that
loved u.s.
TESTIMONY TO CHRIST:
REDEEMER
A Christian Believes in Jesus
Christ. Here is a difficult pass
age describing and identifying
Jesus Christ. Does water refer
to baptism initiating his ministry
and blood to crucifixion consum-
mating his atonement? This
would combat certain false teach
ers of the time who said Christ's
higher nature had part in bap-
tism, "water only" but not in his
sufferings and death. Did John
refer to the water and blood that
poured from the spear-pierced
side of Jesus on the cross, the
blood for our regeneration and
the water for our sanctification?
Was there primarily, or even
secondarily, reference to the
symbolism of the two ordinances,
baptism and the Lords Supper?
Is there in the passage as a whole
an affirmation of trinity wit
Messing to Christ on earth and