p. 1 | Editorial by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 20, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 20.

Editorial.

By Editor

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable."—2 Tim. 3:16.

"WHATSOEVER things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

THE Holy Scriptures represent God as possessing infinite power, infinite wisdom, and infinite love. His power is a guarantee that he is able to keep us, his wisdom that he knows how to keep us, and his love that he will keep us. With such a guarantee of keeping power, surely we need not fear nor be afraid.

MEN do not make truth; they only discover it. Some phase of truth before undiscovered may be termed new truth, but in reality it is as old as the ages. Every truth which ever has been discovered, and every truth that may be discovered in the future, have been hid in Christ from the foundation of the world. He is the beginning and the ending, the fullness of all and in all.

WHEN disposed to criticise or judge uncharitably others who may have failed in some trial of their strength, it is well, in the words of the apostle, to "consider thyself lest thou also be tempted." Many who appear the most free from failures are "only strong through lack of test." Whenever we judge others unkindly, we do so because we judge what they have done by what we think we would do under similar circumstances. We thus not only make our own righteousness the standard of judgment, but we also make ourselves the judge, thereby usurping the prerogative of God. But could we see and know our own true standing, we might find that while we regard with abhorrence our brother for some real or fancied fault, we may have that in our own lives which in God's sight is ten times more grievous than our brother's failure. Then, too, did we but know our own utter weakness, we might realize that our failure upon the point that proved our brother's weakness would be far greater than his, were he but tempted and tried under the same circumstances and conditions. "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."

THE "liberty of the gospel" does not license us to commit sin. Many have a mistaken idea that the liberty to be found in Christ releases one from all obligation to keep the divine law. Such, however, but poorly understand the nature, scope, and power of the redemptive plan and the relation that the law and the gospel sustain to each other. When the disciple dwells in Christ, and Christ in the disciple, the law of God will be a delight, and the observance of its righteous requirements an abounding pleasure. As Christ obeyed the law while here in the flesh, so while dwelling by his Spirit in the heart of his followers will he do the same. And if his professed people are living their Christian life "by the faith of the Son of God," it will be the natural acts of their spiritual nature to observe the law of God. David says: "I walk at liberty because I keep thy precepts."