THE SABBATH IN CONVERSION.
By T.
In former articles we have studied the Sabbath with reference to the fact that it points us continually to God, the Creator. The Sabbath commandment asks us to remember that our God created this great world with all that is in it and upon it in six days. When we understandingly keep the Sabbath, we feel the touch of creative power. This wonderful commandment gives us a view of the Creator on the side of His great power that we could not otherwise get. And as we thus view God's power to create a world—aye, even His power to create a universe—how it fills us with confidence in His ability to cleanse us from every stain of sin by creating us anew in Christ Jesus. The conversion of the sinner is nothing short of a new creation. The character of purity and righteousness that God gave to man in the beginning has been destroyed thru sin. And in the character that the unregenerated man now has, there is a constant tendency to every form of evil. The drunkard sees no way to get rid of the appetite for strong drink that holds him in its iron chains. The epicure is led by his appetite, and he knows not how to break away from it, and follow the dictates of an enlightened reason and conscience. Vice holds some as in the jaws of death; others are driven hither and yonder by various passions and cravings for wrongdoing; and all these, as with one voice, say they can not resist the power that binds them. It should be perfectly clear to all that what is needed is a new creation. And it is just this that the Lord gives in conversion. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10. Note that the text teaches a new creation for every sinner who will come to Christ. He is “created in Christ Jesus,” so that he becomes the “workmanship” of God. The unregenerate sinner has sold himself to Satan to do his evil works. He is the workmanship of the adversary of souls. And when the individual turns to the Lord, it is necessary for a real creation to take place. The man must be made all over new. He must have a realization of the power that is manifested in creation. It is not the merely lukewarm or nominal professor that can be spoken of in this way; it is only the truly converted one who is thrilled by the creative flow of omnipotent power. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17. The individual who really is “in Christ,” has had the new creation. He is “a new creature.” The “old things” have all “passed away.” “All things are become new.” The tastes, the aspirations, the appetites, and every passion has been swept by the hand of the Creator. There is a new creation as literally as when the world was created in the beginning. The friends and acquaintances of this converted—this newly-created—man, will recognize the same general physical features, but they will say, “How changed he is.” His face no longer wears that besotted, vicious, or harsh look. The mellow glow from the fires of heavenly love that have been kindled within, makes the countenance radiant with the beauties and the perfections of the divine creation. A marvelous work has been wrought. The “old man” is gone, and the “new creature” appears. Then what a depth of meaning and helpfulness there is in the Sabbath, which is a constant and delightful reminder of the wonders of creative power! The soul, away from Christ, and racked and harrowed by sin, despairs of salvation. The thought is constantly arising, “Can the Lord save such a vile sinner as I? Can He take away this pollution, and make me fit to associate with the angels, in that realm of the immaculately pure?” Then, as the Lord has commanded, we “remember the Sabbath day.” It brings to our minds the creative words of Jehovah. We remember that by the word of His power He established every planet in its orbit; He set our earth in her course, and all the forces of nature were made to quiver with the life which they still hold and exercise because of this omnipotent decree. Then, O then, how the soul is comforted! What sweet rest comes to the mind! We enter into the experiences and joys of knowing that the same great power that was exercised in creating the worlds is now actively working in creating and keeping us new creatures. In view of these blessed experiences, can we look upon the Sabbath day as of minor consequence? When it lifts us, from week to week, higher and higher in the realization and enjoyment of the limitless power of our God, truly can we “call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable.” Isa. 58:13. In the next paper the day of the Sabbath will be presented. T.