THE JOY AND PEACE UNSPEAKABLE.
By J. C. Kastner
Many have certified thereof; some do still. To appreciate, delight in, and love divinely, requires something not of man but of God. “To the pure all things are pure.” To the sinless, every created being bears witness of a grace and mercy, a wisdom and goodness positively divine. Satan accuses everything, condemns everything, and hates everything—more than that, desires everything, corrupts everything, and enjoys nothing; for gratification of his lusts bears bitter fruit enough. Paul was supremely blest in prison and in chains. Stephen, amidst those that sought his blood, saw heaven open. Fools promise everything the natural heart desires; those who believe them are always missing the joy and peace unspeakable, tho they gain the whole world. We read daily of unfortunates who, with health and wealth, education and enlightenment, commit suicide, to get out and away from their misery, trusting to profit by the shelter of the grave. Iscariot hanged himself for the same reason. Say not insanity is not the portion of every one seeking joy or peace in evil. When we seek, we find. Seek we in Christ, we find what He promised. Seek we in Satan’s kingdom, abject materialism, damnable desires, and unutterable emptiness of soul are our inevitable portion. The same cross that brightens and glorifies life in Christ is a savor of death unto every carnal impulse and desire. Common sense might teach the world that no joy is pure that depends for its existence upon other people’s expense, shame, and corruption. Where mutual condemnation is held needful for mutual instruction and correction, every coward thereunto has his feet fastened in hell. The simple fact is, the only rebuke that goes more than skin deep is to suffer for the sin of others, even as Christ suffered for us. The joy of victory over aught causing us to hate instead of pity our neighbor who still seeks delight in the flesh, the world, and the devil, is not of man, but of God.